A WOMAN has died “unexpectedly” in hospital following a car crash on the A12 a week ago, police revealed tonight.

A WOMAN has died “unexpectedly” in hospital following a car crash on the A12 a week ago, police revealed tonight.

Nicola Payne, 32, was travelling as a front seat passenger in a green Ford Focus on the Ipswich-bound carriageway of the A12 at 2.50pm on Sunday when the vehicle left the carriageway and collided with a tree shortly before Stratford St Mary.

The 30-year-old male driver of the vehicle and Ms Payne, of Sandown Close, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, were both released from the vehicle by the fire service and were airlifted to hospital.

The driver was released earlier this week but a spokeswoman for Essex Police confirmed tonight his female passenger had now died in hospital.

She said: “A woman involved in a crash A12 last Sunday has sadly died unexpectedly in hospital.

“The collision happened at 2.50pm on Sunday, January 27 on the Ipswich-bound track of the A12, just prior of Stratford St Mary, when a green Ford Focus left the carriageway and crashed into a tree.”

The spokeswoman said roads police from the Stanway traffic unit in Colchester were now investigating the crash and appealed for any motorists who saw the vehicle travelling in the lane closest to the crash barrier to contact them on 01206 762512.