Tributes have been paid to a heavily pregnant woman who died alongside her unborn child in a crash involving an unmarked police vehicle in Eltham, southeast London. The 38-year-old woman, who has not been named, was described by a family friend as 'the most caring person ever'.
The collision occurred on the A20 at about 6:15pm on Thursday, near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that an unmarked police vehicle collided with the woman's blue VW Polo. Two officers were taken to hospital but have since been discharged.
A witness, Abu Bakr, said he saw three or four unmarked police cars with sirens on and at least two marked police motorbikes speeding along the road. He estimated the unmarked Volvo, which had flashing lights, was travelling between 70mph and 90mph when it hit the woman's car as she waited to turn right into Sutcliffe Park Sports centre. The woman's car flipped three times, losing a wheel.
The woman's husband, who was at the leisure centre with their other child, aged about four, rushed out and said, 'She's pregnant, she's due next week.' Emergency services performed a Caesarean section at the scene, but the baby did not survive.
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry said, 'My heart goes out to the woman's family and friends who have lost their loved ones in these tragic circumstances.' The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation and is appealing for witnesses.
