A WOMAN who found out her parents had died in a car accident via Ceefax before she had been officially informed by police is calling for a change in how road accidents are reported.

A WOMAN who found out her parents had died in a car accident via Ceefax before she had been officially informed by police is calling for a change in how road accidents are reported.

Marjorie and David Smith died at Rowley Mile Services near Newmarket in April as they travelled to visit their daughter in Hertfordshire.

Daryll Davies said she read of their deaths two-and-a-half hours before the police came to her home and that it was “the most agonising period” of the last six months.

“I read of the deaths of my parents on Ceefax at 6.45pm on April 13, approximately two-and-a-half hours before Hertfordshire Constabulary brought the news to our home... Although their names were not published at that time, the information regarding the type of vehicle, the location, the timings and the details of the two deaths were sufficient for me to know without doubt that the article referred to my parents.”

Mrs Davies has written to the National Police Improvement Agency, supported by her MP, suggesting photographs from new-style driving licences be sent to investigating officers to assist in confirming the identity of the deceased driver, that the DVLC be asked to store next-of-kin information with vehicle registration details, and that priority is given to identifying and notifying next-of-kin before the information is made available to the wider community.

She added: “Mum and Dad have both been sorely missed by my husband and I, our children, Mum's sister, our extended family, friends and neighbours and the church family of St Andrew's Church in Gorleston.