Mother and daughter, 5, killed at pedestrian crossing were 'holding hands' before crash

A mother and daughter were holding hands before they lost their lives after being struck by a car at a pedestrian crossing, an inquest has been told.

Destiny Harrison, 24, and her five-year-old daughter Linnea died as they crossed Victoria Road in Plymouth in 2024. They were struck by a Nissan Qashqai driven by 76-year-old Brenda Marriott.

Emergency services were called at approximately 9.45am on March 24. Linnea was declared dead at the scene while her mother passed away at Derriford Hospital.

Pathologist Dr Russell Delaney confirmed Ms Harrison had sustained multiple injuries while her daughter died from a head injury. In a written statement, Mrs Marriott explained she was travelling along Victoria Road behind a white car as she neared the crossing.

"The white car went through it, it was still green and I was following. I was driving at 30mph," she said. "I saw two shadows of pedestrians. The car in front was higher than mine so I did not have a clear view. When I drove closer I saw the woman and a smaller person with their heads down step out into the road. They were holding hands. They stepped out in front of my car."

Mrs Marriott stated she immediately applied the brakes. "I do believe the lights were green when I drove through and think that the pedestrian misjudged the lights. I am so sorry. I am in shock," she added.

Eyewitness Philip Askew was walking his dog when he spotted the woman and child approaching the crossing but briefly looked away before the collision. "I heard an almighty bang and then scream. I turned round immediately to see what it was," he said.

Bystanders rushed to help. Pc Mel Inness confirmed there were no faults with the vehicle and no evidence recovered to determine the driver's speed or reaction time.