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A heavily pregnant woman’s car flipped three times when she was killed in a crash with an unmarked police car, a witness said.
The 38-year-old woman and her unborn baby died as a result of their injuries following the collision on the A20 in south-east London on Thursday evening.
The incident happened near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road, Eltham, at around 6.15pm, according to the Metropolitan Police.
It is unclear whether the police car was responding to an emergency at the time, and the force has said this will form part of an investigation that has been launched.
Eyewitness Abu Bakar, 34, said the woman was turning into the Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre when an unmarked police car collided with her vehicle.
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.”
The eyewitness claims a man then came running out of the sports centre saying he was the woman’s husband.
Mr Bakar 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.”
Another eyewitness told TheTelegraph an unmarked police car, thought to be a black Volvo, had its blue lights and siren on at the time.
The unnamed witness said: “I heard it before I saw anything, and I looked out of 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.”
A video captured by Abu Bakar showed the aftermath of the incident. A blue vehicle on the side of the road looked badly damaged and an unmarked black SUV police car pulled over with flashing lights.
Two officers who were in the unmarked car were taken to hospital following the collision. They have since been discharged.
Shocked local residents described the junction where the crash happened as “one of the most dangerous in south-east London”.
Another said: “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.”
Flowers have been laid at the scene of the incident.
One of the tributes laid on the road said: “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.”
One resident said they had been brought to tears by news of the incident and recalled seeing “loads of emergency vehicles” throughout the night.
London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and London’s Air Ambulance all attended the scene.
The next of kin of the woman and baby have been informed.
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry 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.”
The policing watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has confirmed it is investigating the incident.
An IOPC spokesperson 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 (17 October).
“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.”
