Baby boy dies after pregnant woman was critically injured in ‘hit-and-run’ at Lancashire pedestrian crossing as six arrested

A baby boy has died after a pregnant woman was critically injured in a hit-and-run crash.

The woman in her 30s, was walking on a zebra crossing in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, at around 8pm on Sunday when she was struck by a car that did not stop. 

Despite paramedics quickly taking the pregnant woman to hospital for emergency surgery to deliver her infant child, the baby did not make it and she remains in a critical condition.  

Police are looking for a dark grey Toyota Prius car that was travelling on Station Road towards Preston at the time of the incident.

The force appealed for anyone who saw the car before or after the crash or anyone with information about who was in the car or the whereabouts of the vehicle with the registration FY62 MXC to come forward.

The woman in her 30s, was walking on a zebra crossing in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, at around 8pm on Sunday when she was struck by a car, police said. Pictured: Aerial photograph of Bamber Bridge

A baby boy has died after a pregnant woman was critically injured in a hit-and-run crash (stock)

Two boys aged 16 and 17 and a 53-year-old man, all from Bamber Bridge, were arrested in connection with the incident and bailed while police continue to investigate.

Three more people have since been arrested – a 17-year-old girl from Lostock Hall, a 19-year-old man from Bolton and a 40-year-old man from Blackburn on suspicion of assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice. They remain in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Riley, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: ‘This is an absolutely appalling incident which has resulted in the death of a little baby and has left his mother very poorly in hospital and my thoughts are with their loved ones.

‘Our investigation is making good progress, but I would still like to hear from anyone who may have footage or information which could help us piece together the events which led to this tragic collision and what happened afterwards.’ 

A spokesman for Lancashire Police added: ‘Very sadly we can now confirm that at the time of the collision the victim was pregnant and while she underwent emergency surgery to have her baby boy delivered, he tragically later died in hospital. 

‘The car, believed to be a dark grey Toyota Prius, did not stop at the scene and enquiries are ongoing to trace the vehicle.

‘We still want to speak to anyone who saw the car before or after the collision or anyone with information about who was in the car or the whereabouts of the vehicle, registration FY62 MXC.

‘And we would like to hear from anyone with CCTV, dashcam, Ring doorbell or mobile phone footage.’