A former Metropolitan Police officer who suffered fatal injuries in a west Ealing collision was part of their “police family”, a spokesman for the force said.

The victim, named by police as 51-year-old Claudia Manera, died on Thursday (October 19) after her bicycle collided with a lorry in Uxbridge Road the previous week.

The personal trainer, who stopped working for the Metropolitan Police last year, was set to return to the force this week as a special constable.

In a heartfelt tribute, Superintendent Robert Mahoney said that the Italian national always went above and beyond to help others.

He said: “Claudia was a popular, hardworking and exceptionally intelligent officer who always did her utmost to help people.

“Although she recently left the Metropolitan Police Service to pursue her passion for sport and teaching, she was still part of our police family.

“We were looking forward to working with her again when she returned this week as a special constable,” he added.

Claudia Manera, seventh from the right in a white shirt, died on Thursday (October 19)

Ms Manera, who qualified two years ago as a personal trainer, had run the London Marathon four times and was “passionate” about fitness.

In a tribute left to the victim , former colleague Katherine Beesley said that just days before her death Ms Manera had told a member of her running group she was the “happiest she has ever been”.

The west Ealing resident suffered serious injuries to her legs and pelvis at the busy junction of Uxbridge Road and The Broadway on Thursday October 12.

Ms Manera was airlifted to an east London hospital but died of her injuries on Thursday (October 19) evening

Claudia Manera's running group prayed for her at a meeting on October 14

Superintendent Mahoney added: “It was with profound shock and sadness that we learnt that Claudia passed away this week as a result of a road traffic collision – she will be missed.

“On behalf of myself and everyone that works on Ealing Borough, I would like to pass on our deepest condolences to her family.”

He said Ms Manera's family are now being supported by colleagues from the Roads and Transport Policing Command.

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