Tributes are flowing after a heavily pregnant woman and her unborn baby tragically lost their lives in a crash with an unmarked police car on Thursday evening.
The 38-year-old woman and her baby died from injuries sustained in the collision, which occurred around 6:15 PM on the A20 near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road in Eltham. Emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service, the London Fire Brigade, and London’s Air Ambulance, rushed to the scene.
The victim has not yet been officially identified, but her next of kin have been notified. Mourners have left flowers, candles, and heartfelt messages at the site of the collision, located outside Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre. One message read: “My deepest thoughts are with you, your baby, and your family and friends. This awful tragedy should never have happened. I hope your family gets some justice. RIP beautiful lady and your baby.”
It remains unclear if the police car was responding to an emergency when the accident occurred. The Metropolitan Police stated that this aspect will be part of the ongoing investigation.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that they are investigating the fatal crash and are appealing for witnesses. IOPC regional director Mel Palmer expressed condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragic incident. She emphasized the importance of understanding all circumstances surrounding the crash, noting that the investigation is still in its early stages.
“This is a busy road, and the collision happened in the early evening when many people were likely traveling,” Palmer said. “We encourage anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen the incident or its moments leading up to it to come forward. Anyone with footage or information should contact our investigators.”
On Friday, a local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described the junction where the crash occurred as “extremely dangerous.” She commented, “There are so many cars, and they go so fast through the junction.”
Both officers in the unmarked police car were also hospitalized following the collision but have since been discharged.
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, who oversees policing in Greenwich, expressed his sorrow for the woman’s family and friends. He stated, “My heart goes out to those who have lost their loved ones in these tragic circumstances. An investigation into the circumstances of this collision is underway by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and we will assist in any way we can.”
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