Driver sought after death of pensioner

A motorist who fled after his sports car was involved in an accident in which an elderly pedestrian died was being hunted by police today.

Officers called to White Horse Lane in Whitechapel, east London, at 9.20pm yesterday found a BMW 318i convertible on its side.

A 75-year-old woman, who lived locally and had been hit by the car, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Police said members of the public helped the driver from the overturned vehicle following the crash, but he made off on foot before officers arrived.

Detective Sergeant Joe Lock, of the Metropolitan Police's Road Death Investigation Unit, said: "Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, especially those who may have helped the driver out of the car.

"We need to trace this man as soon as a possible. He is described as a young Asian man, though we have no better description at present.

"He may have suffered some injuries himself."

A post-mortem examination was expected to take place on the pensioner at Poplar mortuary tomorrow. Her next of kin have been informed, but she is yet to be formally identified by police.