A 74-year-old motorbike passenger has died in hospital after a collision with a police car.
Muriel Pinkney was seriously injured in the incident, which happened in Gateshead almost two weeks ago.
The bike she was on is thought to have been involved in a collision with a Northumbria Police car that was responding to an emergency, on a slip road between the A1 and Dunston, near the MetroCentre.
Muriel died in hospital on Sunday. A 77-year-old man, who was driving the bike, was seriously injured and remains in hospital.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation into the circumstances of the collision, which happened at just after 3pm on Friday July 8.
A spokesman said: "The information we have gathered so far indicates the officer involved was responding to an emergency call at the time and travelling with his blue lights on down the A1 flyover exit slip road onto Dunston Road near the MetroCentre.
"Sadly, the female passenger on the motorbike, Muriel Pinkney, 74, died in hospital on Sunday."
IOPC Regional Director Thea Walton said: “Our thoughts are with Mrs Pinkney’s family and friends, and all those affected by this tragic incident. We have contacted her family to explain our role and how our inquiries will progress.
“It is important in situations like this that there is a thorough and independent investigation to understand the circumstances that led to this happening. This will include looking at whether appropriate policies and procedures were followed.”
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