'OUT OF CONTROL' Court told woman died after police van hit her car at 77mph.

Byline: JEREMY ARMSTRONG

A POLICEMAN driving at almost twice the speed limit killed a young brideto-be in a head-on smash, a court heard yesterday.

Aimee Welsh, 24, was on the way home from her engagement party with fianc Anthony Theakston when PC Thomas Hart's police van - going at 77mph in a 40mph zone - collided with them.

In a statement read to the jury, bricklayer Anthony, 25, said the van was "out of control".

PC Hart, 28, was answering a 999 call when he hit Aimee's Peugeot 207 at 2.15am on October 18 last year, Teesside crown court heard.

Aimee, who was driving, and passenger Anthony were both cut free from the wreckage. She died in hospital a month later.

PC Hart, of Ryhope, Sunderland, denies causing death by careless driving. In his statement Anthony said: "My attention was drawn to the vehicle due to its speed.

"It was going fast. I would estimate around 70 to 80mph.

"The second I saw the van it began to lose control due to its speed. It crossed the central carriageway and it was about 250 yards ahead of us.

"It was clearly out of control.

"It hit a cone as it crossed into our lane, and the cone stayed on the front of the van.

"The van then started to rotate as the driver was fighting to get control. The inevitable was obvious. I shouted 'Aimee' and she started braking.

"There was an almighty bang which was deafening."

Anthony, who suffered a fractured eye socket, twisted knee and whiplash, said the couple had been planning their wedding and the day before had been out to choose her engagement ring.

Aimee - who had cystic fibrosis - had a shorter life expectancy than most people, but had been "living life to the full". Her sister Tracy Robinson, 29, was to be a surrogate mum for the couple, as Aimee could not have children.

Tim Parkin, prosecuting, told the court the only "rational explanation" for the collision was the speed of the police vehicle.

Mr Parkin said that Hart was responding to an emergency call classed at "zero", meaning "high priority". But that did not absolve the officer from blame.

He continued: "He approached that bend and he lost control.

"Whilst police officers are exempt from adhering to speed limits when engaged in pursuits or responding, there still remains a statutory requirement to maintain safety."

The trial continues.

CAPTION(S):

KILLED Aimee Welsh, 24 DRIVER Hart at Teesside crown court yesterday