Two police officers have been rewarded for their part in tracing a hit-and-run drink driver who mounted the pavement and killed a Bradford woman.

Ian Ward twice crashed his car into a wall before striking 43-year-old Gwen Hickey and her husband Ronald on Crow Tree Lane, Daisy Hill, Bradford.

Mrs Hickey died shortly afterwards. Her husband suffered a fractured skull and broken foot.

Ward, aged 35, of Middlebrook Close, Thornton, Bradford, was jailed for five years last month after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

He was also banned from driving for five years and will have to take another test.

PC Stephen Rutherford and PC Philip Benson were the first officers to attended the scene of the accident, on Sunday, September 19, last year.

Ward had already driven off in his damaged Astra, but the vehicle had lost a tyre and left a trail along the road.

The Toller Lane officers were told a car had been seen without a tyre and followed the trail to the drivers' address three miles away.

Inspector Paul Jeffrey, of Toller Lane Police, said: "The trail was broken in several places and it took dedication to find the vehicle. The officers acted swiftly and professionally, working together as a team in arresting the suspect and gathering evidence at the scene.

"Their determination and decisive action prevented the aftermath of this tragedy being a time consuming and protracted investigation."

Yesterday Toller Lane Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Phil Read presented the pair with Certificates of Merit.

He said the pair epitomised the dedication and high quality of service afforded to the public by officers at Toller Lane.

PC Rutherford, 42, has 18 years service with West Yorkshire Police and PC Benson, 37, has 16 years service.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.