HEARTBREAKING: BBC legend d!ed in horror car smash after being ‘dazzled by headlights’.v
The beloved broadcaster was best known as the voice of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour.
BBC presenter Dame Jenni Murray d!ed in a horror car smash after being ‘dazzled by headlights’ (Image: Getty Images)
Veteran BBC radio presenter Dame Jenni Murray d!ed at the age of 75 after smashing into two cars when she was “dazzled by headlights”, an inquest has heard. The beloved broadcaster, who was best known as the voice of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, passed away on March 12. On Thursday (August 27), an inquest heard the broadcaster had been driving on March 4 at around 7.44pm when she became “dazzled” by vehicle lights.
The journalist then collided with two stationary vehicles, which caused “multiple rib fractures”, a fracture to the upper sternum and a collapsed lung. Barnet Coroner’s Court heard she was taken to hospital, placed on non-invasive ventilation before being moved to intensive care, where she developed bronchopneumonia.
The broadcaster was best known as the voice of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour (Image: BBC)
Dr Clare Morkane, a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital, said Dame Jenni’s condition deteriorated significantly and revealed she was placed on palliative care. She told the court: “Jennifer d!ed peacefully on 12 March 2026 at approximately 15.45 hours.”
Dame Jenni’s cause of de@th was declared as bronchopneumonia caused by fractures to her rib and sternum fractures sustained in the horror crash. The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the crash but later closed the probe with no further action.
The broadcaster hosted Woman’s Hour for three decades and became the longest-serving presenter in its history. In 2006, she bravely announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and began raising awareness for the condition as a vice-patron for Breast Cancer Now, a position which she held for nearly 20 years.
Her final show on Woman’s Hour was on October 1, 2020, and ended the programme with Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman”. Payng tribute at the time of her de@th, controller of BBC Radio 4 and director of BBC Speech Audio, Mohit Bakaya, said: “Jenni Murray was a formidable voice in British broadcasting who was warm, fearless and beloved by listeners.
“During her decades at Woman’s Hour, she helped shape the national conversation with intelligence, rigour and a remarkable ability to connect with audiences. Jenni leaves an indelible legacy on generations of listeners. We are profoundly grateful for her outstanding contribution to Radio 4, and she will be deeply missed.”
