Unborn baby dies in car crash on UK road after police pursuit as paramedics rush to scene

A heavily pregnant woman has tragically lost her baby after a car involved in a police chase collided with the vehicle she and her partner were driving in at night in south London

21:11, 14 Jun 2026

The crash occurred in south London (Image: GOOGLE)

A heavily pregnant woman lost her baby after a car being pursued by police crashed into the vehicle carrying her and her partner in a devastating late-night crash in South London.

The tragic incident took place at around 11.30pm on Saturday on Lewisham Way in New Cross after officers spotted a vehicle displaying suspected cloned number plates and attempted to stop it. Police said the driver failed to pull over and that a pursuit was authorised. During the chase, the suspect's vehicle collided with another car being driven by a man in his 20s. His heavily pregnant partner, also in her 20s, was travelling in the passenger seat.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, with paramedics, firefighters and police officers working to help those involved, and the female victim was taken to hospital for urgent treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, their baby sadly died.

[Police siren flashing blue lights at accident or crime scene]

The crash occurred following a police chase (Image: Getty Images)

The woman remains in hospital, where her condition is understood to be stable and not life-threatening. The father-to-be suffered minor injuries.

The suspected driver, a 29-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop and possession of Class A drugs.

He was also taken to hospital with injuries that police said were not life-threatening.

Neither the names of the victim nor the suspected driver have been made public.

Detective Inspector Suzanne Quinton, from the Metropolitan Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Our thoughts are with the mother and father involved, and their family following the tragic loss of their child."

She added: "Our investigation continues. We would ask anyone with information or footage that could help to please come forward."

[ Lancashire Police]

Investigators are now working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision.(Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is standard procedure when a death or serious injury occurs following a police pursuit.

Investigators are now working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision.

Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage has been urged to contact police on 101 quoting reference CAD 8670/13JUN.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity). You can call them on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk.

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