Seventh arrest over hit-and-run crash that killed pregnant mum's baby

Police have arrested a seventh person after a pregnant woman lost her unborn baby in a horror hit-and-run crash. 

The man, aged 19 and from Walton le Dale, Lancshire, was taken into custody last night after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The victim, in her 30s, suffered serious injuries in the collision when she was struck on a pedestrian crossing in Bamber Bridge, Lancs, on Sunday at 8pm.

It's thought she was on her way to work at a local care home when a car ploughed into her, shunting her '30ft' and leaving her critically injured.

Despite paramedics rushing the expectant mother - who is believed to have been 30 weeks pregnant - to hospital for emergency surgery to deliver her infant child, the baby did not survive.

The woman remains in a critical condition, and police say they have arrested a total of seven people in connection with the nightmare collision. 

Police said they have now recovered a Toyota Prius from an address in Bolton, Greater Manchester, which is believed to have been involved in the fatal crash and did not stop at the scene.

They earlier arrested two boys, aged 16 and 17, and a 53-year-old man, all from Bamber Bridge, in connection with the incident, who have now been bailed.

A 17-year-old girl from Lostock Hall, and a 40-year-old man from Blackburn who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice have now been released pending further enquiries.

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Mourners lay floral tributes after horror hit-and-run crash that killed pregnant mother's unborn son

While the 19-year-old man from Bolton remains in custody on suspicion of the same offences.

Police said they still want to speak to anyone who saw the car before or after the collision and any person with CCTV of the incident.

Detective chief inspector Andy Fallows, from Lancashire Police, said: 'My thoughts first and foremost remain with those affected by this horrific incident which has resulted in the death of a little baby and has left his mother very poorly in hospital.

'We have made good progress in our investigation and I am grateful to all those who have come forward with information so far. I would continue to appeal to anyone who thinks they can help to get in touch.'

The news comes as floral tributes were left at the scene of the horror smash, with a pink bouquet tied to one beacons at the crossing where the tragedy took place.

Other heartbroken residents have taken to social media to express their anguish and shock at the horror crash. 

One wrote: 'I really hope this lady pulls through and has a very speedy recovery.

'R.i.p little angel didn't even see life fly high little man god bless you. Love nd hugz to everyone who knows you family and friends.'

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Baby boy dies after pregnant woman was critically injured in 'hit-and-run'

Another added: 'Truly heartbreaking, there are no words adequate for this lady and her family. An utter tragedy.'

A further resident wrote: 'My heart breaks for this family. I really hope with all of my heart that this poor lady pulls thro. RIP litle man. Fly high sweet angel.'

It comes as neighbours today claimed they witnessed a car driving at around '80mph' along Station Road, where the incident took place, just before the crash.

They said the woman was 'shunted' as far as a nearby roundabout in the collision and may have been walking to work to start an 8pm shift at a local care home.

One resident living close to the scene, who did not want to be named, said they had observed a car flying along the road on their CCTV cameras.

They said: 'What we saw on it was this car, it must have been doing 80mph. There are traffic lights to the left, so it's obviously gone through them as well at such a speed.

'There's a zebra crossing, and then there's a roundabout more or less straight after it. She was on the zebra crossing when it banged into her. It didn't stop.

'It was going that fast that when it shunted into her, bits of the bumper flew off the car.

'It shunted her right across the road to the roundabout. It's about 30ft.'

The resident said police and ambulance teams had quickly arrived on the scene and neighbours had put blankets on the woman, who was left unconscious.

And they had later heard through other locals that the victim worked at a care home.

They went on: 'Everybody was out, and police and their sirens were all going off and they were waiting for the ambulance. It stopped all the traffic.

'People from right outside went out and threw blankets on her, but she was more or less unconscious anyway.

'She worked at some sort of care home. They do 8pm to 8pm at care homes.

'This was about 7.45pm when it happened, so she might have been going to work or going away.'

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.'