Inquest opens after three women die in A46 crash

An inquest has been opened into the deaths of three women who were killed in a single-vehicle crash on the A46 in Leicestershire.

The crash was reported to emergency services shortly after 01:00 GMT on 13 December, when a blue BMW 5 series left the southbound carriageway between Thrussington and Sileby.

Neeru Patel, Bhamini Karsan and Virashi Chauhan all died at the scene, but an official cause of death is yet to be established as police continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

The inquest was opened on Wednesday at County Hall in Glenfield by Sophie Lomas, assistant area coroner.

The inquest opening heard Chauhan, 39, was a company secretary who lived in Syston, while Karsan, 42, was an office administrator who also lived in Syston.

Patel, 42, was a marketing manager who lived in Thurmaston.

The coroner said post-mortem examinations were undertaken within a week of the women's deaths, and proceedings were adjourned until 22 July for a review hearing.

Leicestershire Police said a 37-year-old woman, who was detained on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, had been released under investigation while inquiries continued.

Lomas offered her "sincere condolences" to the families of all three women.

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