A 33-year-old woman was found dead on a dual carriageway in Braintree after being hit by a police car.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said Sandra Stirling was lying on the eastbound carriageway of the A120 around 1.30am when the collision with the Nissan Navarra 4x4 police patrol vehicle happened.

Ms Stirling's mother said: "She was such a lovely daughter, but someone who never grew up."

A statement from her family said: "She loved Braintree and always seemed to be popular among her circle of friends.

"Although Sandra did not have children of her own, she took great comfort from her four nephews. It was always a wish of Sandra's that one day she would have her own children."

The family said she had three cats and enjoyed collecting teddy bears.

A post-mortem examination showed that Ms Stirling, of Lister Road, Braintree, died from multiple injuries.

Essex Police are investigating her movements prior to the accident and why she was lying on the road.

Her flat was only a few hundred yards from where she died near the Notley Road bridge on Thursday.

Police said the Braintree officers in the vehicle, one male and one female, were on routine patrol duty.

Ms Stirling, a secretary who had been living in Braintree for eight years, was pronounced dead by ambulance crews at the scene.

An IPCC spokesman said it was carrying out an investigation to determine whether or not the collision could have been avoided.

IPCC commissioner Deborah Glass said: "My sympathies go to her family at this distressing time."

Ms Stirling was alive on the road prior the collision, said the IPCC.

Witnesses who may have seen Ms Stirling prior to her death should contact the police on 01376 551312.

Published Friday February 11, 2005

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