Woman arrested after tragic death crash

Sep 25 2008 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

A WOMAN has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in relation to a collision which cost the life of a pensioner whose late husband was killed by muggers.

Theresa Bhandari, 76, died from her injuries at the Countess of Chester Hospital after being involved in a head-on collision on July 25 on the Welsh Road near the “blue bridge” just two minutes’ from her Garden City home.

It has now emerged the other driver, a 35-year-old woman, who was also taken to the Countess with serious injuries, was arrested on August 7 on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She was released on bail pending further enquiries.

Crown Prosecution Service advice is pending on whether a charge will be brought.

In 2002 Mrs Bhandari lost her husband of 47 years, Amrit, known as “Andy”, after the 72-year-old was mugged by Sarah Campbell from Hampton, near Malpas, and Kim Woolley, from Liverpool, outside the Chester Odeon in Northgate Street.

Campbell and Woolley were convicted of manslaughter but Campbell died of a drugs overdose shortly after arriving at Styal Women’s Prison.

Her mother Pauline began a campaign to improve conditions for female prisoners but in May she died in a suspected suicide.

Mrs Bhandari is survived by her son Rory, from Loughborough, and daughter Nina 45, from Upton, Chester.

A post mortem examination provisionally showed Mrs Bhandari died of chest and abdominal trauma subject to confirmation at her inquest which will be held in due course.

Mrs Bhandari’s funeral has taken place at the Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Queensferry.