POLICE have confirmed that a fifth person has died following a road traffic collision on the A595 at Moota on Saturday.

Claire Edwards, 21, from West Croft Terrace in Lowca, was pronounced dead at Newcastle RVI yesterday (Wednesday).

Miss Edwards was travelling as the front seat passenger in a Ford Fiesta, in which three other women from her extended family also died when it collided with a Vauxhall Astra Coupe and a Chrysler Neon.

The driver and sole occupant of the Astra also died at the scene while the driver and passenger of the Chrysler escaped with minor injuries.

A fatal collision inquiry is underway, and officers would urge any witnesses or anyone with information to contact Cumbria Police Roads Policing Unit on 0845-3300-247.