AN ELDERLY woman died after falling ill behind the wheel of her car, which crashed.
Florence Sibson, 80, was a well-known West Cumbrian pottery expert and author. She is believed to have suffered a “medical episode” while driving at Boot Brow, Distington, yesterday.
Her car, a green Suzuki, then crashed into a wall beside a house and made a “considerable impact”, according to one firefighter at the scene.
Mrs Sibson, who lived in Distington, was a researcher of pottery and had extensive knowledge of both porcelain and pottery.
She was an expert on the historic West Cumbrian pottery industry and published two books: The History of the West Cumberland Potteries Volume I and II.
Mrs Sibson was also a keen member of the Friends of Whitehaven Museum group and previously ran the Market Place greengrocers in Whitehaven.
Emergency services were called to the accident just after 1pm yesterday.
Firefighters from Workington and Whitehaven stations attended as well as police.
The road around the Boot Brow area was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.
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