A devastated family has paid tribute as a 22-year-old woman tragically killed on Christmas Eve after being hit by a police vehicle is named and pictured.
Rachael Louise Moore was struck by the law enforcement car around 8.10pm in Liverpool, last night, and sadly died from her injuries.
She is the second woman to have been killed after being hit by a police car in the UK over the Christmas period, after a mum-of-three was hit in Oldham the day before, on Friday, December 23.
Following Rachael's tragic passing, her family have today released a heart-breaking statement to their "cherished" daughter.
The family said: "Rachael Louise Moore aged 22, cherished daughter of Alison and Ian, sister to Ben and much loved granddaughter of Nana Sue.
"Partner to Jack and caring friend to many.
"She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.
"The family requests their privacy be respected at this devastating time."
The Independent Office for Police Conduct have launched an investigaton and Merseyside Police say they are now hunting for witnesses or any more information on the horror car smash that involved one of their own.
People at the scene in Sheil Road, Kensington, recalled seeing "a load of police" around the area, but were unsure of what had happened.
One person said at the time: "It's horrific. It's Christmas Eve. Whatever it is is looks bad. It's heartbreaking."
Another said that they had gone out for the evening and came back to see the cordon. They said that they "dread to think what has happened. It's so sad to see."
Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson from the MATRIX Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "Following the death of Rachael we are providing assistance to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.
"Our sincere and thoughts and condolences are with Rachael’s family who have been left devastated by this tragic incident. Specially trained family Liaison Officers are supporting them at this time.
"I would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident to please make contact with us as we try to piece together the circumstances.
"I would also like to ask anyone who has CCTV, Dashcam or Smart doorbell footage that may help us to please get in touch. As is standard procedure the incident was referred to the IOPC. The family requests their privacy be respected at this time.”
Anyone who witnessed the collision or captured anything on CCTV or dashcam is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747, by email at sciu@merseyside.police.uk or via @merpolcc on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, with reference 857 of Saturday 24 December.
Last night, December 24, there were reports of heavy police presence around the scene, with side streets blocked off, and dozens of police vehicles inside the cordon.
Fire crews were also at the scene, just before the barrier.
Residents who resided within the cordon were unable to get through last night, as they were told that there was a "police incident" that happened.
Only a day prior, a mum died in hospital after being hit by an unmarked police vehicle that was involved in a pursuit in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
Mum-of-three Heather Smedley, 53, was rushed to hospital but tragically died of her injuries. It is understood she was in her car at the time of the collision.
She was hit by the police car that was chasing a separate vehicle suspected of being stolen, and the incident took place shortly after 10am.
Greater Manchester Police say the horror smash happened shortly after 10am, following a "short pursuit" of a separate suspect vehicle.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed an unmarked police car and a "car driven by a member of the public" crashed and Heather suffered "serious injuries...and died in hospital later this morning".
The crash has been reported to the force's Professional Standards Branch and the IOPC, who confirmed Heather was not in the vehicle police were pursuing.
The IOPC said their investigation will "examine the circumstances leading up to the collision and whether police actions were in accordance with policies and procedures.”
Meanwhile, a third woman tragically died on Christmas day in a horror crash involving a car that police had tried to stop just moments earlier.
The crash took place shortly after 3:45am in Edgware, London and police said officers had indicated for the car to stop but it drove off - they added there was no chase.
Then, just a short time later, it was involved in a crash with another car and a lamppost.
A 22-year-old woman in the second car was treated at the scene but tragically medics were unable to save her life.
