Husband describes ‘horror’ as wife fatally hit by van at golf course after police chase

A husband has described how he watched in “helpless horror” as his wife was fatally hit by a van at a golf course after the vehicle was involved in a police chase.

Suzanne Cherry, 62, died in hospital four days after she was struck on the morning of 11 April, Staffordshire Police said.

Two patrol cars had been following the grey Nissan van in Kingstanding, Birmingham, after receiving reports of suspicious activity, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

They stopped chasing the van when it came off the road and went up an embankment at Aston Wood Golf Club, where it hit Ms Cherry, of Aldridge, Walsall.

In a statement released by police, Ms Cherry’s husband – who was not named – paid tribute to his “beautiful wife” and said her death leaves an “unfillable void” in the lives of her family.

“While enjoying what should have been the safest of one of Suzanne’s many activities, I watched in helpless horror as the life of my beautiful wife and our future together was snatched away in an instant,” he said.

Ms Cherry’s husband said she had “an amazing and infectious zest for life”, adding: “Suzanne leaves a legacy and an unfillable void in the lives of her mother Maureen, her three adult children, two step-children and countless others from her work, her sporting activities and social circle.

“Sue was loved, and will be painfully missed by her entire family and friends, we ask that our privacy at this difficult time be respected.”

Officers from three different forces have arrested six men in connection with the incident.

The IOPC is continuing to investigate the circumstances before the collision.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.