Iconic BBC broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray died following fractures to her rib and sternum that were sustained in a horror car crash that was reportedly caused after she was “dazzled by vehicle lights”
Broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray died days after sustaining rib and sternum fractures following being involved in a car crash that was reportedly caused when she was dazzled by headlights, an inquest heard.
Dame Jenni, 75, was best known as the voice of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, hosting the programme for three decades and becoming the longest-serving presenter in its history.
She died on March 12 this year after the collision in north London on March 4 2026, the inquest heard on Thursday (August 27). North London area coroner Tony Murphy ruled that Dame Jenni’s cause of death was bronchopneumonia caused by fractures to her rib and sternum fractures sustained in the crash.
At the inquest at Barnet Coroner’s Court, Mr Murphy read a statement from Dr Clare Morkane, a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital where Dame Jenni died after being admitted on March 4.
Dr Morkane said: “Jennifer had been driving when she became dazzled by vehicle lights and collided with two stationary vehicles.
“Following the collision, Jennifer was unable to recall events, exited the vehicle independently and she was conveyed to hospital.”
The collision took place on Wildwood Road, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, around 7.44pm, the inquest heard. She suffered “multiple rib fractures”, a fracture to the upper sternum and a collapsed lung.
Dame Jenni was taken to hospital, placed on non-invasive ventilation and moved to intensive care but developed bronchopneumonia.
Dr Morkane said that after a significant deterioration on March 10 a decision was made to focus on palliative care.
She said: “Jennifer died peacefully on 12 March 2026 at approximately 15.45 hours.” The Metropolitan Police investigated the crash but closed its investigation with no further action.
Dame Jenni’s husband David Forgham-Bailey attended the hearing via video link.
After her death former Labour deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman called Dame Jenni “the broadcasting wing of the women’s movement”.
Dame Jenni announced on Woman’s Hour in 2006 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and began raising awareness of the condition as vice-patron for Breast Cancer Now – a position she held for almost 20 years.
She was made a Dame in 2011 in recognition of her contribution to broadcasting.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
