Woman dies after Fiat Panda veered off a road and plunged into a river

A 77-year-old woman drowned after her car veered off a road into a river where it became submerged.

The pensioner was believed to have died trapped in the flood swollen River Nene in Northamptonshire before her car was spotted.

Despite local police saying the incident took place at a time when the road was busy, they have only narrowed down a four hour window - between 12.20pm and 4.20pm yesterday - in which it could have taken place.

The victim was driving her red Fiat Panda on Rushmere Road having exited the Barnes Meadow roundabout just outside Northampton, when she veered into the enlarged river.

Northamptonshire Police confirmed no other car was involved, and they do not know what caused the car to leave the road. 

A police spokesperson issued an appeal for witnesses of the incident this morning.

They said: 'Officers are appealing for witnesses after a fatal single-vehicle collision in Rushmere Road, Northampton.

'The collision happened sometime between 12.20pm and 4:20pm when, for reasons not yet known, the driver of a red Fiat Panda travelling from the direction of the Barnes Meadow roundabout, went off the road and entered the River Nene.

'Sadly, the driver - a 77-year-old woman - died at the scene after the vehicle became submerged in the water.

'That stretch of road would have been very busy at that time of day and officers would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have CCTV or dash cam footage of the collision.

'Anyone with information is asked to email CollisionAppeals@northants.police.uk or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, or Northamptonshire Police on 101.'

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Flood-ravaged Britain faces another yellow weather warning for rain with downpours on Thursday

A post mortem examination is to be carried out to establish the exact cause of death  for the 77-year-old - who is yet to be named - and an inquest will be opened and adjourned by the Northamptonshire coroner.

It follows days of catastrophic weather across much of the UK, which has left many roads and even entire towns completely underwater.

Just upstream from Rushmere Road in Northampton city centre, even people on narrowboats needed rescuing earlier today, as the Nene's increased levels made it flow much faster as it spilled over the riverbank.

Further out of the city, striking photos showed static homes at Cogenhoe Mill Holiday Park submerged.

And flood-ravaged Britain faces further misery after the Met Office today issued a fresh weather warning for another four inches of rain to fall later this week.

A respite from the downpours is forecast for tomorrow but heavy rain could then cause more travel disruption in North East England on Thursday.