A WOMAN died after her car burst into flames minutes after a crash.

Witnesses watched in horror as police tried in vain to save the driver's life.

The tragedy happened after a Fiat Uno being driven by Patricia Young, 46, hit the back of a parked car in Eastbourne Road, Pevensey Bay, at about 4.30pm.

Another motorist followed the Fiat to the nearby car park of The Moorings pub, in Seaville Drive, and contacted the police.

Moments later the Fiat went up in flames in the car park with the

driver, who lived at Battle, still inside.

Police officers arrived at the scene and attempted to save the woman, who was next to the vehicle, but it was too late.

Mark Davies, who was working in The Moorings at the time of the incident, said: "I rang the fire brigade. It was just terrible. I heard shouting and I came out. The car was ablaze by then and the lady was at the side of the car, two feet away.

"There was no way anyone could help her. The police were spraying her with water but it was too late."

Police sealed off the car park and Seaville Road and two fire crews from Eastbourne and Pevensey, wearing breathing apparatus, put out the flames.

Joy Miller, of Marine Terrace, said: "The smoke was intense and went about 50ft into the air. I thought it was petrol going up. It is really terrible someone died."

Police and fire crews stayed at the scene for several hours and launched an investigation. The burnt-out car was towed away and the body of the woman was taken

to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Sgt Julian Patmore, of Eastbourne police, said the matter had been referred to the coroner and was not being treated as suspicious.

He said: "The next of kin are aware and the matter will be reported to the coroner.

"We were told the car was there because it had been followed from the scene of the crash."

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