Woman badly hurt in crash angry at police response

A woman who was seriously injured when a driver hit the stationary car she was cleaning ahead of her dad's funeral has said the police initially dropping the case left her feeling "worthless".

Sheila Chatfield sustained a fractured mastoid bone in her skull when the car, which was parked outside her home in Awsworth Lane, Cossall, Nottinghamshire, was struck by a vehicle that then flipped and came to rest on its roof on 25 August.

Mrs Chatfield and her husband Guy said they issued a formal complaint after Nottinghamshire Police told them officers were not pressing charges.

But the force has told the BBC it has now reopened the investigation.

Mrs Chatfield sustained a fractured mastoid bone in her skull and severe bruising

Mrs Chatfield, a retired caterer, said she had moved the couple's car from their driveway on to the road, as relatives were due to arrive for the funeral the following day.

The 68-year-old was partially inside the vehicle cleaning when her car was struck from behind by a driver, who police said tested negative for drink and drugs.

She was left unconscious and covered in blood, and in a disoriented state had to be taken by ambulance to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham for treatment to the mastoid bone in her skull, which has affected her sense of balance, and severe bruising.

The lasting effects have been both physical and mental, Mrs Chatfield said

The couple said Nottinghamshire Police told them inquiries at the scene indicated the collision was caused "by a medical episode", and no further action was taken.

Mrs Chatfield said: "How can you be on your own pavement and your car's written off and nothing? You don't want to be vindictive, but I just feel like I am worthless.

"I lost so much that day. It was my dad's funeral the following day - I did make it, but in a fashion with two very black eyes and sunglasses.

"This last month has just been the worst of my life. I've lost confidence and I just sometimes wonder, am I always going to feel like this?

"My life feels changed, and no-one seems to actually give it the credence it deserves."

'Voluntary interview'

Mr Chatfield, 73, added he felt "very angry" about the police's handling of the case.

"They seem to think that because they've got no proof of him speeding, that no offence was committed," he said.

"They seem to think that smashing into somebody's car and injuring somebody is not an offence."

A spokesperson for the force said: "Inquiries at the scene indicated the collision was caused by a medical episode. There were no witnesses to the manner of driving beforehand and officers drugs wiped and breathalysed the driver which was negative.

"The victim was updated accordingly. Following a review of the case, the investigation was reopened and the driver has since attended a voluntary interview.

"The investigation remains ongoing and we will continue to keep the victim updated."

Following the force's response, Mr Chatfield said: "We still feel we shouldn't have had to go through the process we've had to, to get to this stage.

"It's six weeks later, we're only just getting the leaflets for victim support, we should have had that initially.

"The constable who eventually came out and took our statements went through everything and explained everything with us and was a lot more helpful."

"It's about feeling like you've been listened to," he added.