The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation after a heavily pregnant woman and her unborn child were killed in a collision with an unmarked police car in London.
The Metropolitan police said an unmarked vehicle collided with a car on the A20 in Eltham, south-east London, at about 6.15pm on Thursday near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road.
The 38-year-old woman who was in the other car and her unborn child died of their injuries. Two officers who were in the unmarked car were taken to hospital but have since been discharged.
The woman’s next of kin had been informed and were being supported by specially trained officers, the force said.
One witness claimed that the woman’s car flipped three times after being struck by an unmarked police car that was driving on the wrong side of the road.
Abu Bakar, 34, said the woman was turning into the Sutcliffe Park sports centre when an unmarked police car “driving on the wrong side of the road” collided with her.
He said: “Four police cars had their lights on racing down the road. The speed they were doing – I’ve never seen anything like it. One of the cars hit her and she flipped three times. Her car was very badly smashed up.”
Bakar said a man came running out of the sports centre shouting “that’s my wife” and “she’s pregnant”.
“The man rushed over and was shouting her name. He was telling police ‘that’s my wife’, ‘that’s my wife’ and ran over to her. I hoped she was going to be OK but then heard today that she’d died.”
Another witness told the Daily Telegraph an unmarked police car, thought to be a black Volvo, had its blue lights and siren on at the time.
A video captured by Bakar showed the aftermath of the incident. A blue vehicle on the side of the road looks badly damaged and an unmarked black SUV police car has pulled over with flashing lights.
A spokesperson for the IOPC confirmed it was investigating the incident. The police watchdog said the woman was driving alone at the time of the collision.
The spokesperson added: “We can confirm that we have started an independent investigation into the circumstances of a fatal collision involving Met police in south-east London last night. We were notified that an unmarked police vehicle was in collision with a member of the public’s vehicle at around 6.15pm on the A20, near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road, Eltham, SE9.
“We understand that the driver, and sole occupant, of the vehicle was a heavily pregnant woman. Ambulance and fire services attended, and she was given treatment. The woman and her baby sadly both died. We sent investigators to the scene and post-incident process to begin gathering evidence. Our investigation is in the very early stages.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who has died and all of those affected by this tragic incident.”
Flowers were laid at the crash site on Friday. Three bouquets and a candle were left outside the sports centre.
A note on one bouquet said: “My deepest thoughts are with you and your baby, your family and friends. The most awful tragedy that should never have happened and I hope your family get some justice. RIP beautiful lady and your baby.”
DCS 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 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.”
Another resident said they had been brought to tears by news of the incident and recalled seeing “loads of emergency vehicles” throughout the night.
The Metropolitan police declined to comment further.