RESIDENTS of a Carpenders Park road have been left in shock by the death of a mother crushed by her own car in her driveway.

The 43-year-old, of Alva Way, who is believed to have suffered from multiple sclerosis, died after her BMW rolled down the driveway outside her home, running her over at 11.30pm on Tuesday.

Police believe she had just returned home, had parked the car and, as she walked around the back of the vehicle to get something from the boot, it began to roll down the slightly sloping drive.

Unable to move out of the way, the vehicle pushed her to the ground, where she was pulled under and dragged along the driveway until the car came to a standstill on the pavement.

Someone from her home desperately tried to free her body, before calling the emergency services.

Firefighters from Watford arrived ten minutes later and, within half an hour, lifted the car off her body using hydraulic lifting equipment, so ambulance crews could reach the woman.

However, by this time, she was suffering a heart attack.

Paramedics tried to revive her at the scene and en route to Watford General Hospital but she died soon after arrival.

Chief Inspector Pete Westwood, of Hertfordshire Constabulary's road policing department, said police were investigating whether the handbrake was faulty.

He said: 'The engine was not turned on.

'The vehicle rolled back on its own, and that leads us to have a very close look at the car to establish any mechanical faults.

'The vehicle gained momentum very quickly but would only have been going at a walking pace.

'But it takes some doing to stop a tonne of metal on wheels when it is coming towards you.'

Her family were too distraught to speak about her death on Wednesday, August 9.

A neighbour, Mr Frank Hall, watched the rescue from his house opposite.

He said: 'I didn't hear anything and didn't realise anything was wrong until I saw the police lights.

'A man, who I think is her husband, looked very distressed.

'He was taken away in another ambulance with a young girl, who I think is their daughter.

'I don't know the family that well. They haven't lived here very long but they are quite friendly. The mother always said hello and had a nice smile.

'It is a shock she is dead. It must be a one-in-a-million chance of something like that happening.'

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: 'It's a tragedy.

'I think she had two or three children in their early teens.'

Mrs Magaret Jones, who works at Carpenders Park Convenience Store and Post Office (formally Hollywood Nites), said: 'She used to come in here two or three days a week.

'She was a lovely lady. She hadn't been well, as she was being treated for multiple sclerosis.'

An inquest into the death is due to be opened and adjourned on Monday.

Police, unable to confirm the woman's name at the time of going to press, are investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information can telephone PC Vincent Lewis on 01923 472388. ccooley@london.newsquest.co.uk