Police are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian died in a collision in Purley.

The woman and her husband, both Bulgarian nationals, were travelling home after a night shift. Police were called at approximately 04.05hrs on Saturday 16th February to reports of a car leaving the road and being in collision with two pedestrians in Godstone Road, near the junction with St James Road.

Purley officers and the ambulance service attended and discovered a woman suffering injuries. The woman 40 year-old Kremena Mersinkova, was pronounced dead at the scene at 04.58hrs.

The second pedestrian, her husband 45 year-old Plamen Mersinkov, suffered a dislocated shoulder and cuts and bruises. He was taken to St George's Hospital and was later discharged.

The car, a red Citreon Saxo Furio, was travelling in the direction of Purley. The three occupants of the car - two men (aged 25 and 26) and a woman (aged 20) - were all taken to St George's Hospital for treatment. All were later discharged. The driver, aged 25, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol. He was taken to a south London police station and later bailed to return in April pending further inquiries. Officers from the Road Death Investigation Unit at Catford are investigating.

DS Mick Woollard said: "The couple had been working through the night at University College Hospital in Euston. They had caught night buses home but could only get as far as Purley. The final part of their journey was a walk along the Godstone Road to their home in the Whyteleafe area.

"This was a horrendous collision where an innocent hard working wife and mother has lost her life. Her family are in complete shock and cannot believe this has happened."

An investigation is underway by the Road Death Investigation Unit, and witnesses are asked to call the Unit on 020 8285 1574."