Tributes pour in for heavily pregnant woman and unborn baby after fatal crash with unmarked police car
Tributes have poured in after a heavily pregnant woman and her baby died in a collision with an unmarked police car on Thursday evening.
The woman, aged 38, and her unborn baby died as a result of their injuries from the crash, which took place at around 6.15pm on the A20 near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road in Eltham.
London Ambulance Service crews, the London Fire Brigade and London’s Air Ambulance all attended the scene.
The victim has not been formally identified. Her next of kin have been informed.
Flowers, candles and messages have been laid at the scene of the collision, outside Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre.
One tribute read: “My deepest thoughts are with you, your baby and your family and friends.
“The most awful tragedy that should never have happened, and hope your family get some justice. RIP beautiful lady and your baby.”
It is unclear whether the police car was responding to an emergency at the time. The Met said this question will form part of the investigation into the incident.
A spokesman for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that the police watchdog was investigating the fatal collision and was now appealing for witnesses.
There have been no arrests at this stage, a spokeswoman said.
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have died and all of those affected by this tragic incident.
“It is important we establish all of the circumstances surrounding this incident and our investigation is in its very early stages.
“This is a busy road, and the collision happened in the early evening when people are likely to have been travelling.
“We would like to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity at the time and may have witnessed the incident, or the moments leading up to it.
“Anyone who saw anything or has footage is encouraged to get in touch with our investigators.”
At the scene on Friday, a resident who asked not to be named, said the junction where the crash happened was “extremely dangerous”.
The woman said: “There are so many cars and they go so fast through the junction.”
The two officers who were in the unmarked police car were also taken to hospital following the collision. They have since been discharged.
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, in charge of policing in Greenwich, said: “My heart goes out to the woman’s family and friends who have lost their loved ones in these tragic circumstances.
“An investigation into the circumstances of this collision is under way by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and we will assist with their enquiries in any way we can.”
Pictured top: Flowers, candles and messages laid at the scene on Friday (Picture: Claudia Lee)