Woman walked in front of car while under NHS care

A mental health patient was on "escorted leave" with NHS staff when she was fatally struck by a car, an inquest heard.

Katherine Frost, 18, was killed while walking on the A12 near the Colchester United stadium shortly after 19:30 BST on 22 April.

She was a patient at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester but had been on a planned trip away from the facility, Essex Coroner's Court was told.

Care provider Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) called it a "tragic loss" of life.

The trust has been the focus of a landmark public inquiry - the Lampard Inquiry - examining mental health deaths in Essex.

Miss Frost's death was alluded to during one of the sessions in April.

A brief inquest hearing in Chelmsford on Thursday was told she died from multiple traumatic injuries in a road traffic collision.

"At the time of her death, she was a patient at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester," coroner's officer Andy Flack said.

"Miss Frost was on escorted leave with a member of staff when she was struck by a vehicle on the southbound A12."

Senior coroner for Essex Lincoln Brookes said a full inquest would be heard at a later date.

"I extend my deepest condolences to Miss Frost's family and loved ones," he added.

Officers from Essex Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the fatal collision to come forward.

EPUT chief executive Paul Scott said he wanted to send his personal condolences to Miss Frost's family.

"While we can't speculate on details of an ongoing investigation and inquest, my thoughts are with Katherine's family and friends and the tragic loss of a young life," he said.

You can find organisations offering mental health support and advice through the BBC Action Line

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