Pregnant mother, 38, who died in M66 crash stopped to answer phone call, court reports
Pregnant mother of two, 38, who died in an M66 crash was hit by a speeding car after she stopped in hard shoulder to answer a phone call, court reports
- Frankie Julia Hough, 38, died in hospital following the crash on the M66 near Bury
- The pregnant mother was hit by a speeding BMW after she pulled over from her car
A pregnant mother who died in an accident on the M66 was hit by a speeding motorist after she stopped in the hard shoulder to answer a phone call, a pre-inquest hearing has revealed today.
Frankie Julia Hough, 38, of Chadderton in Oldham, died after being hit by an out of control BMW at about 3.10pm on May 13, while traveling south on the M66, near Bury.
It emerged today that the mother of two, who had died in hospital two days after the collision, had stopped on the hard shoulder of the M66 to answer a phone call.
Adil Iqbal, 22, from Accrington, Lancashire, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after he lost control of his speeding BMW.
At the time of the crash, Ms. Hough was in the car with her four-year-old nephew and two young sons, ages nine and two.
Mum of two Frankie Julia Hough, 38, (pictured) suffered fatal injuries after being hit by a speeding BMW while answering a call on the hard shoulder of the M66 near Bury
The pregnant mother of two (pictured) died at Royal Preston Hospital on May 15, two days after the crash on the M66
Mrs Hough’s youngest son Rocky, aged 2, suffered minor injuries. Her nephew, Tobias, 4, and nine-year-old son Tommy remain in hospital.
At a pre-investigation hearing held today at Rochdale Coroners’ Court, Police Coroner Tracy Bunn confirmed Ms Hough’s full name, date of birth and address in Chadderton, as well as her occupation as a ‘reiki practitioner’.
The officer also confirmed that Mrs Hough was single and died on 15 May at Royal Preston Hospital.
She was formally identified at the hospital by her father Frank Hough to a police officer, the court heard.
The coroner Bunn briefly gave the circumstances of the crash, telling the court: ‘Frankie was driving on the M66 towards Manchester.’
Frankie pulled up on the hard shoulder. It is believed she was answering a phone call at the time.
“A vehicle traveling at excessive speed lost control, causing the vehicle to collide with the rear of Frankie’s car, causing it to spin and come to rest on the main roadway.”
Frankie Julia Hough (pictured) was in her car with her four-year-old nephew and two young sons at the time of the crash on the M66
The officer confirmed that Ms Hough had been taken to Royal Preston Hospital with life-threatening injuries and died on 15 May. An autopsy concluded that she died of head injuries.
The court heard that a man had been arrested and charged, and that an investigation into the crash by GMP was ‘ongoing’.
Assistant Coroner Matthew Cox adjourned the court proceedings until the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
The Manchester Evening News has previously reported tributes to Ms Hough, who was described as a ‘fierce mother with a heart of gold’.
Her brother-in-law Arron Welby said: ‘She was the most wonderful person, she had a heart of gold. She was a devoted, fierce mother and she was a fighter for her children.
‘She was the best aunt. She was a shining light, she would protect her children with everything she had.’
He added: “She was pregnant and had just celebrated a baby shower the week before when she found out she was having a little girl. It’s just so sad.’
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