A POPULAR Malvern woman died of multiple injuries after she was hit by a car in Australia during a tragic accident.

Michela Russo was wearing dark clothing and would have been difficult to see as she walked home at night during heavy rain, an inquest into her death heard today (Thursday).

The 40-year-old died after she was struck by a Toyota Hilux in Anzac Parade in Moore Park, Sydney, Australia.

The combination of poor visibility and her dark clothing could have been contributing factors in her death, the Worcestershire coroner said during an inquest into her death at the coroner's court in Stourport.

The beauty therapist of Dowling Street, Paddington, New South Wales grew up in Malvern, attending St Joseph's RC School and Chase High School. Her parents Michael and Sandra - ran the Russo Coffee Lounge and Restaurant for many years.

Sally-Anne Piccles, a senior constable with the Metropolitan crash investigation unit, the equivalent of a crash investigator in the UK, photographed and examined the vehicle after the incident.

The driver of the car, Abdul Basit, was also interviewed in the presence of an interpreter.

The crash happened at about 11.23pm on Sunday, October 11 as Miss Russo walked along the grass of a median strip in Anzac Parade as she made her way home, walking northbound after she had been out socialising.

The Worcestershire coroner, Geraint Williams, said: "She was wearing all black clothing. Mr Basit was driving his vehicle in lane three northbound.

"He had his windscreen wipers set to the fastest constant speed.

"The evidence suggests she either fell or stepped into the path of the vehicle as it travelled in lane three.

"She was struck by the driver's side mirror of the vehicle which caused her to rotate in a clockwise direction.

"Her back impacted with the driver's side of the vehicle and she fell to the ground.

"Mr Basit said he was alerted because he heard a loud bang and realised his driver's side mirror had been broken.

"He stopped the vehicle and telephoned for the the emergency services."

Mr Williams said the investigating officer referred to the heavy rain would have caused visibility issues including the glare from oncoming headlights.

The road was in good condition, there were no faults with the vehicle and the driver had not been drinking.

There was also no evidence the driver had been fatigued, that his driving had been 'negligent or dangerous' or that he had mounted the median strip where Miss Russo was walking.

Mr Williams confirmed that no prosecution had been brought against the driver.

He also said there was no evidence to suggest Miss Russo was attempting to cross the road or had stepped out in front of traffic.

A post-mortem concluded Miss Russo died as a result of 'multiple injuries'.

Mr Williams said: "She was wearing all black clothing and was walking alongside a black metal fence which provided low contrast and reduced the ability of the driver to see her."

She had consumed some alcohol and the grass where she walked was wet.

Mr Williams said may have contributed to her being unsteady on her feet.

The coroner concluded that she died as the result of an accident.

Miss Russo moved to Australia in 2000, living on Bondi Beach and working at another salon called Escape.

After completing a diploma in travel and tourism, she began working at Sydney Rowing Club.

Both the club and Escape held memorials for her following the announcement of her death.

Her funeral was held at Sacred Heart and St Catherine of Alexandria RC Church in Droitwich on November 9 last year.

During the inquest Mr Williams said he had only received the paperwork from the Australian coroner yesterday (Wednesday).

The Australian coroner had already conducted an inquest in April.

Mr Williams: "I, together with the family, were surprised and concerned to learn the Australian coroner had dealt with the matter some months previously but had not contacted the family to inform them."