A pregnant woman and her unborn baby have died following a collision involving a police car in south east London, Scotland Yard has confirmed.
The 38-year-old woman, who was heavily pregnant, was in a car travelling on the A20 in Eltham on Thursday evening when it was struck by an unmarked police car.
London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and London’s Air Ambulance all attended the scene but the woman and her unborn baby died as a result of their injuries.
Police said the woman’s next of kin had been informed and were 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 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.”
Two officers who were in the unmarked car were also taken to hospital following the collision. They have since been discharged.
Locals near the scene of the tragedy described seeing the collision unfold during the rush hour on Thursday evening.
One witness described how emergency crews fought to save the woman and her unborn baby.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said the unmarked police car, thought to be a black Volvo, had its blue lights and siren on at the time.
She said: “I heard it before I saw anything and I looked out the window and I saw the unmarked police car.
“I didn’t see it go into the other car, but it looked like it was doing some speed.
“The other car, a blue car, collided, flipped about three times across the pavement, and then turned upright and landed there.
She added: “From then it was just dreadful because they pulled out a lady from the car that was obviously pregnant.”
The witnesses said emergency crews arrived and desperately tried to save the woman and baby.
She added: “That poor woman was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
‘Flash of a speeding car’
The accident happened close to the entrance to the Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre.
A local resident said: “I saw the flash of a speeding car go by and then the police car, with its lights and siren going.
“Then I heard the crash, it sounded like an explosion, it was so loud.”
He said: I saw the police officer who was a passenger up against an airbag. The officer who was driving the car was able to get out by himself, but the front of their car was completely squashed.”
His partner, who was at home close by at the time of the crash, added: “I heard the sound of speed but then I heard a massive bang.
“The building literally shook and I ran straight to the window. The blue car was sort of up on the pavement, and the black car with the blue lights was on the road with the front completely flat.
“I couldn’t see the woman, I now know she was a pregnant woman, but they put up screens very quickly for privacy.”
It is not yet clear whether the unmarked police car was responding to an emergency at the time and was travelling with blue lights and sirens when a crash occurred.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said it would form part of the investigation.
