Counselling offered to Vertu JLR Leeds staff after 'tragic' fatal collision

Counselling has been offered to staff at Vertu Motors’ Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Leeds dealership after a woman and a child were killed in road traffic incident described by police as “absolutely tragic”.

The two victims, believed to be pedestrians, were pronounced dead shortly after a white Audi TT left the A61 Scott Hall Road, Leeds, and collided into the dealership’s perimeter wall at around 8.30am this morning (January 16).

West Yorkshire Police said that the driver of the Audi was taken to hospital and is being treated for injuries which are described as serious but non-life threatening. He is under arrest.

Vertu Motors sent staff home and closed the dealership shortly after the incident this morning.

A source close to the business told AM that counsellors would be brought in to assist staff who had been left traumatised by what they had witnessed.

Detective Inspector Paul Conroy, of West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: “This is an absolutely tragic incident, and we are working to support the family of the woman and child involved.

“We have already spoken to a number of witnesses but are keen to speak to anyone else who has witnessed the collision itself or the events leading up to it. We would also ask anyone who was in the area around the time of this collision to check their dashcam footage.”

AM understands that no staff or Vertu JLR customers were injured in the incident.

A spokesperson for Vertu Leeds JLR said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this horrific incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team by using 101 Live Chat online or by calling 101, quoting log 260 of 16/01.