Tragic Crash in Eltham Kills Pregnant Woman and Unborn Baby
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed one of their unmarked cars was involved in a fatal crash in southeast London that claimed the life of a heavily pregnant woman and her unborn child.
High-Speed Police Chase Ends in Horror
The collision happened on the A20 near Kidbrooke Park Road around 6:15 pm last Thursday. The 38-year-old victim, who has not been named, was in her blue VW Polo with her other child when the crash occurred.
Eyewitness Abu Bakr, a local plumber, told reporters that three or four unmarked police cars and at least two marked motorbikes sped along the road with sirens blaring.
“The police cars were racing down the road towards the petrol station. They were probably doing between 70mph and 90mph. My van shook. They didn’t brake – they were hoping she’d turn in time before they hit her. The police cars were on the wrong side of the road,”
The unmarked Volvo with flashing lights collided with the woman’s car as she tried to turn into Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre. Her vehicle flipped three times and lost a wheel in the crash.
Bakr described the harrowing scene: “Everyone heard the bang. Her husband came out of the leisure centre carrying their other child, saying ‘She’s pregnant, she’s due next week.’ Emergency services performed a C-section at the scene, and they got the baby out, so we thought the baby might have survived.”
Tributes Pour In for ‘Most Caring Person Ever’
Family and friends have paid their respects. A close family friend at the crash site said:
“We’re close friends of the family. It’s not my place to say anything, but her husband will speak when the time is right. She was a lovely person, the most caring person ever. She didn’t deserve this.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, in charge of Greenwich policing, added:
“My heart goes out to the woman’s family and friends. An investigation into this tragic collision is underway by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. We will fully assist their inquiries.”
IOPC Appeal for Witnesses
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it is probing the incident and urged anyone with information to come forward.
