County Durham woman, 72, dies trying to save pet dog

A County Durham woman received fatal injuries when she was struck by a car as she tried to save her dog.

Yvonne Walker, 72, had been out with her pet which ran out on to Thornley Road, Wheatley Hill, near Peterlee, on Thursday afternoon.

Ms Walker of Handel Terrace, Wheatley Hill, was struck by a Nissan Almera and later died in hospital.

Police said she stepped out between two parked vehicles into the path of the vehicle.

Treated for shock

A Durham Police spokeswoman said: "It would appear that the car had been travelling north along Thornley Road, when the woman tried to stop her dog running out into the road.

"She stepped out between two parked cars into the path of the vehicle.

"She was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham with injuries from which she later died.

"The 34-year-old woman driver of the car was treated for shock."

The spokeswoman said the dog was being cared for by the woman's family.