A heavily pregnant woman and her baby have died in a collision involving an unmarked police car in south-east London.
The 38-year-old and her unborn child were killed as a result of injuries suffered in the crash on the A20, near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road, Eltham.
An unmarked police car was in collision with a member of the public’s vehicle at about 6.15pm on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said.
Firefighters cut the roof off a car to free a woman, who was the sole occupant.
Police officers, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and London’s Air Ambulance all attended.An investigation is under way following the collision.
Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers, a police spokesman added.
Abu Bakar, 34, claimed 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 told the PA news agency: "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."
The eyewitness claims a man came running out of the sports centre shouting "that's my wife" and "she's pregnant".
He said: "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 okay but then heard today that she'd died."
One neighbour said that the junction where the crash happened “is one of the most dangerous in south-east London”.
Flowers have been laid at the scene.
One tribute read: “My deepest thoughts are with you, your baby and your family and friends. The most awful tragedy that should never have happened and hope your family get some justice. RIP beautiful lady and your baby.”
Another local said: “This is a very dangerous road. I didn’t hear anything but when I looked out of the window I saw loads of police cars and emergency service vehicles.
“I saw what looked like a beige car with a dent in the side.
“The police were here for ages and the road didn’t start to open properly until Friday morning.”
One resident said they had been brought to tears by news of the incident and recalled seeing “loads of emergency vehicles” throughout the night.
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 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.
An IOPC spokesman said: “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 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.”
London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 6.16pm on Thursday 17 October to reports of a road traffic collision in Sidcup Road, SE12.
“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an incident response officer, members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).
“We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.
“Our crews treated four patients at the scene. We took a pregnant woman and two police officers to a London major trauma centre by road, all as a priority.
“A male patient was also taken to a local hospital by road, as a priority.”
