Pregnant woman, 38, and her unborn baby die in fatal crash with police car
The pregnant woman and her baby both died in the crash
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A pregnant woman and her unborn child have tragically died after a collision with an unmarked police car, officers have said.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident, which unfolded just after 6pm on Thursday in Eltham, southeast London.
The Metropolitan Police said the woman, 38, was "heavily pregnant" in the crash, saying "an unmarked police car was in collision with a member of the public's car".
London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and London's Air Ambulance all attended the scene of the crash - on the A20, near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road.
Det Supt Trevor Lawry, pictured speaking in 2021, said his "heart goes out to the woman's family and friends"
PA
A police statement also confirmed that the 38-year-old's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
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 underway by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and we will assist with their enquiries in any way we can.
"A road closure will remain at the scene today and I am grateful for the patience of the local motorists, who will need to use alternative routes."
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The fatal crash happened on a junction of the A20 in southeast London
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Two police officers, who were in the unmarked car at the time of the crash, were both hospitalised afterwards.
They have both since been discharged, police said.
The news emerged just minutes after police said a man in his 60s was left in critical condition after he too was hit by an unmarked police car - this time, near Kempston in Bedfordshire.
That collision, which occurred near the Marsh Leys roundabout along the slip road onto the A421, took place at around 2am - also on Thursday.
The news emerged just minutes after police said a man in his 60s was left in a critical condition after he too was hit by an unmarked Bedfordshire Police car
PABedfordshire Police has since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, referring the case to the IOPC.
In both cases, standard protocol requires officers to self-refer in the case of "a death or serious injury involving contact with the police".
The force has confirmed that the unmarked car was not responding to an incident nor was it "engaged in a pursuit" when the crash took place.