A heavily pregnant woman, 38, and her unborn baby have died after the vehicle they were in was hit by an unmarked Met police car.
The tragic incident happened in Eltham yesterday at 6.15pm on the A20 near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road.
London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and London’s Air Ambulance all attended.
It is not known if the unmarked police car was responding to an emergency incident at the time of the crash, with the force launching an investigation into the circumstances.
Following the shocking crash the busy road was closed for 12 hours in both directions and buses in the area had to be diverted.
Pictures show the roof of the car scattered across the ground after it is believed firefighters were forced to cut through the vehicle to access the woman.
A second car can be seen in the image which also shows a police officer stood next to the vehicles.
Emergency service vehicles with blue lights were pictured at the scene with a police cordon set up around the incident.
An air ambulance descended on the scene but the woman’s injuries were so serious she could not be saved.
Two officers who were in the unmarked car were taken to a major trauma centre following the collision. They have since been discharged.
A fourth person was treated at the scene by paramedics and he was taken to a nearby hospital.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed they have launched an independent investigation into the incident.
Floral tributes have been left at the scene along with a candle and cards with one well wisher writing: ‘My deepest thoughts are with you and your baby, your family and friends.’
The note continued: ‘The most awful tragedy that should never of happened [sic] and I hope your family get some justice.
‘RIP beautiful lady and your baby.’
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 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 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.’
A video captured by Mr 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.
Another eye witness told the Telegraph 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.’
The woman’s family have been informed of her death and are 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 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.’
A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said firefighters released two people who had become trapped as a result of the crash.
Little evidence remains of the collision, with the emergency service cordon removed and traffic returned to normal and a small amount of police tape remaining on one lamppost.
Residents in Eltham have described their ‘shock’ after the crash. One neighbour said that the junction where the crash happened ‘is one of the most dangerous in south-east London’.
Another 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.’
Another neighbour said they had been brought to tears by news of the incident and recalled seeing ‘loads of emergency vehicles’ throughout the night.
One resident living near the scene of the collision suggested the incident was ‘unsurprising’ given the speed of drivers.
They said: ‘They drive really recklessly and it’s a very busy road, so I see how it could happen. It’s very sad.’
An IOPC spokesperson said: ‘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.’