This is the first picture of a ‘beautiful’ mother killed in a suspected hit and run crash as police hunt the driver of a Skoda who fled the scene.

Claire Laybourne, 39, died in hospital on Saturday after she sustained serious injuries in a two-vehicle collision at 10.40pm on Friday on the A19 at Holystone, North Tyneside.

Northumbria Police said a Volkswagen T-roc and a Skoda Fabia were both travelling north when they collided.

The Skoda driver did not stop at the scene and was believed to have fled the area on foot, the force said.

Ms Laybourne from Hebburn, South Tyneside, was treated by emergency services at the scene and was taken to hospital, but she could not be saved.

Her family paid tribute, saying: ‘Claire was a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and gentle strength touch

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