Man arrested over getaway hit-and-run

A 22-year-old man was arrested today on suspicion of murdering a woman who was run over as she tried to stop a thief driving off with her car.

Lynda Hankey, 42, of Wigan, Greater Manchester, suffered serious head injuries after she was sent flying into the air as the offender made off with her sports car. She later died in hospital.

She had left the engine running of her yellow MG while she went into her house momentarily and returned to see a man sitting in her vehicle.

The incident was witnessed by her female partner, Jamie Hudson, and Ms Hudson's five-year-old son, police said.

Ms Hankey was mown down at about 4.20pm yesterday after she stepped in front of the car outside her home in Prestt Grove, Worsley Mesnes.

The vehicle was recovered in nearby Leigh at 10am today and within the next two hours a man from the Wigan area was arrested.

Speaking at the crime scene, Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "Our thoughts are very much with Lynda's family at this horrific time following this sad death.

"We have had more than 30 detectives working on this overnight and we have recovered the vehicle following information given by a member of the public and we hope it is in a state which will leave us with forensic evidence.

"A 22-year-old local male has been arrested on suspicion of murder but we still believe that there may be others involved in Linda's death and we urge them to give themselves up.

"The individuals involved are extremely callous, with very little regard for life."