Blackburn Hit-And-Run: Murder Inquiry Launched As Woman Killed In Lancashire

Alison McBlain, 36, was killed when a Fiat Punto Grande mounted the pavement.
|
Open Image Modal
Alison McBlain died in hospital on Thursday with her family, including 12-year-old son Reagan, by her bedside.
Lancashire Police

A murder investigation has been launched over a hit-and-run crash that killed a Lancashire woman this week.

Alison McBlain, 36, was hit by a vehicle in Blackburn on Tuesday night and died two days later.

It is thought the driver of a Fiat Punto Grande mounted the pavement in Whalley Banks at the junction with Pearson Street and then hit McBlain and a 26-year-old man from Blackburn.

The car, believed to be on a cloned registration plate, number EX07 PYA, failed to stop at the scene of the incident just before 7.50pm.

A similar vehicle was later found in Lower Hollin Bank Street with significant front-end damage. Someone had tried to set it on fire.

Lancashire Police said McBlain died in hospital on Thursday with her family, including 12-year-old son Reagan, by her bedside.

A 25-year-old man from Blackburn was arrested on Wednesday night on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.

The number of hit-and-run crashes appears to be on the rise. The BBC reported last year the number of recorded hit-and-run incidents was up by 45% over the previous four years in England and Wales.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau, which compensates victims of uninsured drivers,  said the number of victims of hit-and-runs has been rising since 2013, and it now handles more than 16,000 cases a year.

Detective chief inspector Lee Wilson said: “Alison sadly passed away from her injuries today and my thoughts remain with her and her loved ones, including her young son.

“This is now a murder investigation and I have a team of detectives and staff continuing to work hard on this investigation and we continue to follow a number of different lines of inquiry.

“The public’s help is key to us in piecing together the events which led up to this collision and to finding those responsible and I am grateful to everyone who has assisted us so far.

“No matter how insignificant you may feel the information you have is I would urge you to come and speak to us.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log 0915 of November 20 or through the major incident portal at mipp.police.uk. They can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.