The Metropolitan Police confirmed one of its unmarked vehicles was involved in the crash in Eltham, southeast London where a pregnant woman died alongside her unborn child
Tributes have been paid to a heavily pregnant woman who died in a car crash involving an unmarked police vehicle in Eltham, southeast London, who was called the “most caring person ever.”
The heavily pregnant woman died alongside her unborn child following the crash on the A20 at about 6:15pm on Thursday. The 38-year-old has not been named and is understood to have been accompanied by her other child in the vehicle.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed an unmarked vehicle collided with a car close to the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road. Two officers were taken to hospital but have since been discharged.
A family friend of the woman and her husband has just visited the scene of the crash with his young son. He welled up while walking towards the spot where locals yesterday laid flowers and a candle before the pair stood with their hands around each other while looking at the tributes.
He 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.” Speaking about the woman, he added: “She was a lovely person. She was the most caring person ever. She didn’t deserve this.”
A witness, who gave his name as Abu Bakr, said he witnessed the crash, which he said happened after “three or four” unmarked police cars “with their sirens on” and at least two marked police motorbikes sped along the road. He said an unmarked Volvo, with flashing lights, crashed into the woman’s blue VW Polo while she was waiting to turn right into Sutcliffe Park Sports centre.
The plumber had just finished working in a house opposite the scene and was putting his tools in his van. He said: “The police cars were racing down the road towards the petrol station. I’d estimate they were doing between 70mph and 90mph. My van shook.
“They didn’t brake at all – they were just hoping she managed to turn in time before they hit her. The police cars were on the wrong side of the road.
“The woman’s car flipped three times. One of its wheels came off. It was shocking. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. I was in tears. She was turning from the main road into the leisure centre.
“Everyone heard the bang. Her husband came out of the leisure centre with their other child, aged about four, in his arms.
“He was saying ‘she’s pregnant, she’s due next week’. I think the emergency services did a C-section on her in the road. They book the baby out so we thought the baby had survived.”
“The police officers were in plain clothes. One had a polo shirt that said ‘Monte Carlo Country Club’ on it.”
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 inquiries in any way we can.”
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it was investigating the incident and is appealing for witnesses.
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.”
