Police have launched a hunt for a woman over a ‘hit and run murder’ after a mother was chased on her e-bike and rammed by a Land Rover in a fatal smash.
Alana Armstrong, 25, suffered ‘catastrophic’ injuries when the off-roader knocked her off the bike in Pleasley, near Mansfield, on Tuesday evening.
The rider on the front of the electric cycle was injured so badly he had to have his leg amputated.
Now, Derbyshire Police has released a CCTV image of a woman they are looking for in relation to the murder investigation, who they believe has ‘vital information’.
The woman was pictured outside the White Swan pub in Pleasley wearing a light-coloured jumper, matching trousers and white trainers.
She was also of average height and build and had dark hair, tied back into a ponytail.
Ms Armstrong was the mother of a six-year-old boy who now faces trying to comprehend her sudden loss with Christmas just weeks away.
Two people were arrested but have now been discounted from the murder investigation.
Alana Armstrong, 25, has been named as the victim of a hit and run murder after the e-bike on which she was a passenger was rammed by a Land Rover
Derbyshire Police has released this CCTV image of a woman they are looking for in relation to the murder investigation, who they believe has ‘vital information’
Alana was knocked off the bike on Batley Lane (pictured) in Pleasley, near Mansfield, on Tuesday evening
Police released more details of the tragedy as they appealed for information about the vehicle, a dark-coloured 4×4 believed to be Land Rover Discovery, which drove off after the confrontation.
Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby, of Derbyshire Police, said: ‘Alana was just 25 – and a mum to a six-year-old boy.
‘Her little boy, along with her wider family, will never get the chance to see her again, hug her again, spend Christmas together, or celebrate all those milestones.
‘My thoughts, as well as those of the whole force and community, are with them at this time.’
He said the Land Rover which rammed the e-bike on which Ms Armstrong was riding pillion at about 8pm had moments earlier pursued it and another bike through the village of Pleasley.
Afterwards it drove off up Batley Lane and onto Rowthorne Lane without stopping, with the last known sighting of it turning right onto the A617 towards New Houghton.
‘Since Tuesday a team of detectives have been working non-stop, searching the site where Alana was killed, conducting house-to-house enquiries, and scouring CCTV in the area,’ Chief Superintendent Kirby said.
‘Two people who were arrested in connection with the incident have now been released without charge – and have been discounted from our investigation.
‘We have already received a significant amount of information from the public and I want to thank everyone who has come forward already to help our investigation.
The young mother (pictured) suffered ‘catastrophic’ injuries when the off-roader knocked her off the bike on Batley Lane in Pleasley, near Mansfield, on Tuesday evening
Alana is pictured with her boyfriend on the beach
Alana was riding on the bike along Batley Lane (pictured). The driver of the bike had to have his leg amputated
Batley Lane, in Pleasley, where Alana was killed, in a suspected hit and run whilst on an e-bike
Police and forensics at the address where Alana lived on Friday
‘However, I know that there is more information out – and there are people who know who the person responsible is.
‘Specifically, we know that there were two people in the Land Rover Discovery, that was manufactured between 2004 and 2009, that night – a man driving the vehicle and woman in the passenger seat.
‘We urgently want to hear from anyone who may know those two people, who has seen a Land Rover Discovery that may have damage to its front end – or who knows of a vehicle matching that description that may have been recently repaired or had parts replaced.
‘We also really want to speak to anyone who may have CCTV – in particular along the A617 from this junction heading towards New Houghton.
‘Finally – I want to return to Alana.
‘As an officer, as a member of the local community, and as a father, I am devastated for her little boy, her family, and her friends and we will do all we can to find those responsible.’
Ms Armstrong lived in nearby Tibshelf and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her family are being supported by specialist officers.
Two people, a man and a woman both in their 30s from the Skegby area of Nottinghamshire, who were arrested in connection with the incident have been released without charge and have been ruled out of our investigation.
Friends paid tribute to Alana on social media with one writing: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking when this happens to people you know.’