Banbury – tributes as woman dies after serious crash

Shelley Hallam has been named as the victim of the crash on April 8 involving a silver Honda Jazz and a red Mini Cooper.

The 60-year-old was a passenger of the Mini Cooper, being driven by a 59-year-old man and joined by another man, aged 28, who was sat in the rear seat.

Both suffered injuries described by police as minor and have since been discharged from hospital.

Shelley Hallam (Image: Family handout)

However, Ms Hallam died of her injuries six days later while in hospital on April 14, police said on Thursday afternoon.

Her family said in a statement issued via Thames Valley Police: “We are all completely in shock at the sudden passing of Shelley.

“She was the most kind and amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was courageous and strong, and always thought of others before herself.

“She was inspirational and had such a positive impact on everyone whose life she touched, however fleetingly.

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“There are no words that can describe the loss we all feel and she will be desperately missed.”

“Her family are being supported by specially trained officers,” Thames Valley Police’s spokesman said.

The crash happened at the junction of Rye Hill and Tadmarton Road in Wigginton Heath, between Chipping Norton and Banbury.

A woman in her 20s from Chipping Norton has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence. She has been released on police bail.

Emergency services, including South Central Ambulance Service and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, attended the scene.

The road was initially closed to enable emergency treatment and recovery, and officers later re-attended on April 15 to carry out further specialist investigative work.

The road was closed for several hours during this time.

Investigating officer detective constable Melissa Wells, of Thames Valley Police’s serious collision investigation unit, urged witnesses to get in touch to help with the investigation.

She said: “This is a tragic incident in which a woman has sadly lost her life. Our thoughts remain with her family at this incredibly difficult time.

“We are continuing to carry out a full and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances of the collision, and we are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who saw either vehicle in the moments leading up to it, to please come forward.”

Anybody who witnessed the collision or who was driving in the area at around 6.50pm on April 8 and may have dash-cam footage is urged to contact Thames Valley Police either by reporting online or by calling 101, quoting reference 43260170542.