London police say they are investigating what went wrong when an unmarked police vehicle crashed into another car, killing a “heavily pregnant woman” and her unborn child.
The Metropolitan Police Service says in a press release that the deadly collision occurred Thursday, Oct. 17, just after 6 p.m. in Eltham, when the unmarked police car crashed into “a member of the public’s car” on the A20, one of the city’s major roads running to the southeast.
“A heavily pregnant woman, aged 38, who was in the car, and her unborn baby sadly died as a result of their injuries,” the police said.
Eltham, where the crash occurred, is about 10 miles southeast of London’s city center.
Metropolitan Police says ambulances, the London Fire Brigade, and an air ambulance all responded to the crash and that two officers who were in the unmarked police car were also taken to a local hospital.
“They have since been discharged,” the police department says.
Metropolitan Police says that the deceased pregnant woman’s “next of kin have been informed” and “specially trained officers” are supporting the family.
“My heart goes out to the woman’s family and friends who have lost their loved ones in these tragic circumstances,” Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry says in a statement. “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.”
