The jury in an inquest into the death of a woman who was struck by a police van has returned a verdict of accidental death.

Helen Loveday, 52, was hit by a police van in Wymondham Road in Hethel at around 10.20pm on July 27 last year.

Following the collision, Ms Loveday was airlifted to hospital but died in Addenbrooke's Hospital two days later.

During the four-day Norwich inquest, Norfolk's senior coroner Jacqueline Lake said Ms Loveday, of Market Harborough in Leicestershire, had gone to stay with her sister Rachel Hurn in Wreningham, Norfolk, on July 24.

'During the evening of July 27 Helen became upset and left the property,' Ms Lake said. 'Her sister telephoned the police and told them Helen had run off and there were concerns for her welfare.'

She said police sent units to search the area, and one of the vans struck Ms Loveday.

Before giving their conclusion, the jurors summarised their understanding of the evidence, the events of July 27 2017 and confirmed Ms Loveday's details.

They closed with the comment: 'Police units dispatched to the address were not made aware of a telephone call from a member of the public giving details of her exact location.'