An elderly woman was hit and killed by a car driven by her own sister-in-law in a tragic freak accident on Sunday.

The woman, in her 80s, died instantly when she was hit by the red Ford Focus at 1.40pm in Cambray Road, Balham.

She had been waiting for her sister-in-law, also in her 80s, to give her a lift when she was hit by the car.

It is understood the incident was nothing more than a terrible accident, although police are making formal enquiries.

Hampton Traffic Garage’s collision investigator Nick Brook said: “It’s too early to comment on it.

“It’s a road traffic collision. We treat every fatal collision as a major investigation. At the end of the day, someone has lost their life, so it’s important we get it right.

“We are appealing for witnesses and anyone who saw the collision is asked to get in touch with us on our witness line.”

The woman, who has not been named, is thought to have lived in the residential street with other family members.

After the accident, Tooting firefighters were called to the road, as well as two ambulance crews and an air ambulance. But the woman had suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police cordoned off the road for several hours and diverted traffic to neighbouring streets.

On Tuesday morning family members were due to identify the woman at Greenwich mortuary, but this was postponed until later in the week.

They were too upset to speak to the Wandsworth Guardian as we went to press. An inquest is due to open at Southwark Coroner’s Court by Friday.

Mr Brook added: “If you’re driving a vehicle, it’s a potentially lethal machine. You need to be observant and careful.”

If you witnessed the incident or have any information, call Hampton Traffic Garage on 020 8247 6935.