A baby boy has tragically died after a pregnant woman was critically injured in a hit-and-run incident in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire. The woman, in her 30s, was struck by a car while walking on a zebra crossing on Sunday evening, around 8 pm. Despite emergency surgery to deliver her baby, the infant did not survive, and the mother remains in a critical condition in hospital.
The incident occurred when a dark grey Toyota Prius travelling along Station Road towards Preston failed to stop after striking the woman. Lancashire Police are appealing for anyone who saw the vehicle, with the registration FY62 MXC, before or after the crash, or who has information about those involved, to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Jill Riley, from the Force Major Investigation Team, described the incident as “absolutely appalling.” She said, “This is an absolutely appalling incident which has resulted in the death of a little baby and has left his mother very poorly in hospital, and my thoughts are with their loved ones. Our investigation is making good progress, but I would still like to hear from anyone who may have footage or information which could help us piece together the events which led to this tragic collision and what happened afterwards.
Three individuals—two boys aged 16 and 17, and a 53-year-old man, all from Bamber Bridge—were initially arrested in connection with the hit-and-run and have been bailed while investigations continue. Subsequently, three more individuals have been arrested: a 17-year-old girl from Lostock Hall, a 19-year-old man from Bolton, and a 40-year-old man from Blackburn, all on suspicion of assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice. They remain in custody.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police confirmed, “Very sadly, we can now confirm that at the time of the collision the victim was pregnant, and while she underwent emergency surgery to have her baby boy delivered, he tragically later died in hospital.
Authorities are urging anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam, Ring doorbell, or mobile phone footage to contact the police at 101, quoting reference FY62 MXC.
The hit-and-run has shocked the local community, and police continue to seek information that will help bring those responsible to justice.
