UPDATED: Woman dies after car is in collision with coach near Gatwick

A WOMAN has died after her car was involved in a collision with a National Express coach near Gatwick Airport.

The 34-year-old woman, from south Wales, was pronounced dead at the scene after her Ford Ka was in collision with the coach outside the airport's North Terminal at around 1.30pm on Friday.

Around 40 passengers were on the coach, which ended up on top of the car. One passenger suffered a minor wrist injury.

The driver of the coach was taken to hospital suffering from shock. All the passengers were bussed to the airport where they gave their version of events to police.

The dead woman's next of kin have been informed, but she has not yet been named by police.

The crash caused traffic chaos and delays for several hours on surrounding roads including the M23 and A23, with people struggling to make their way to the airport.

Inspector Keith Ellis, from Sussex Police's Road Policing Unit, said: "We appreciate the frustration of road travellers caught up with this incident, but the circumstances are very unusual in that the collision happened on a very busy roundabout and also that it involved a coach that ended up on top of the car.

"However, we must not lose sight of the fact that, sadly, a woman died and it is essential that her death is fully investigated to meet the needs of the coroner and any subsequent court case that may arise.

"We do work as swiftly as possible and our investigating officers are very experienced in their role, but once the scene is cleared we don't get a chance to revisit it.

"The investigative work cannot begin until the needs of those involved in the collision are attended to and in this case, the recovery work that followed the investigation was particularly complex.

"Repairs were also needed to the road and crash barrier."

The Highways Agency confirmed that all roads around the airport were re-opened by 8pm on Friday.

Extra airport staff were drafted in to help passengers who may have missed flights or were running late because of traffic congestion.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to contact them on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Operation Tilstone.