The shattered husband of an 84-year-old mother killed in a fiery police pursuit crash has revealed the cruel twist of fate that ended their 60-year love story as questions mount over the moments before impact.

Phillip Crosland has endured more heartbreak than most. He has already buried two of his three children — one to meningitis, another to cancer.

Now, he is preparing to farewell his “wonderful lady”, Maureen Crosland.

“Everything’s been taken away from me,” he told 9 News.

Philip and Maureen were together for 60 years. Picture: Channel 9

Mrs Crosland volunteered at her local school helping kindy students learn to read and write. Picture: Channel 9
Mrs Crosland was one of two women killed when an allegedly stolen red sedan smashed into their Alfa Romeo on the Old Hume Highway at Camden South on Saturday morning.

The 84-year-old was on her way to buy dresses for an upcoming wedding with close friend Lee Casuscelli when tragedy struck.

“If it had been three seconds earlier or later they wouldn’t have been hit,” Mr Crosland said.

“She was a terrific person.”

A beloved volunteer at her local school, Mrs Crosland spent her days helping kindy students learn to read and write.

“She was well respected too, the kids loved her,” her grieving husband said.

Alleged theft and pursuit

In a statement on Saturday, NSW Police said about 10.20am that day, emergency services were called to a service station on King Georges Road at South Hurstville following reports of a vehicle theft.

A helicopter view of the crash. Picture: Channel 9

Philip is now asking questions of the police response. Picture: Channel 9
Officers were told a 25-year-old man was allegedly assaulted before his red sedan was stolen.

A short time later, officers located the vehicle travelling on King Georges Road at Beverly Hills.

“When it allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.”

Police went on to say the pursuit was terminated in the Bankstown area with Polair continuing to track the vehicle from above.

About 11.10am, the red sedan crashed into the Alfa Romeo on the Old Hume Highway at Camden South.

The two women were treated by police and NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene.

The alleged driver, a 31-year-old man, fled on foot before being arrested a short distance away.

Despite police saying the pursuit was terminated in Bankstown, CCTV footage obtained by 9News appears to show the red Toyota being followed by multiple unmarked police vehicles at Bridgewater Boulevard in Camden Park – about 40km from Bankstown – just minutes before the crash.

CCTV footage appears to show police vehicles still in pursuit just minutes before the crash. Picture: Channel 9
The footage allegedly shows three unmarked police vehicles behind the red sedan without lights or sirens activated, followed by a marked police car with sirens on.

Moments later, the stolen vehicle is seen hitting a dead end, turning around and driving onto the wrong side of the road – with police vehicles again just seconds behind.

Mr Crosland said he wants answers.

“If the police called off the pursuit, how come they were there to chase him when he got out of the car?” he said.

An investigation is now underway into the matter, which will also be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

For Mr Crosland, however, the investigation offers little comfort.

After six decades together, he is facing life alone.

“Terrible thing to happen, I can’t explain it,” he said.

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