A heavily pregnant woman who tragically lost her life in a car crash in Eltham has been identified as Mariam, age 38, in a touching tribute left at the scene. The accident, which also claimed the life of her unborn baby, occurred on Kidbrooke Park Road around 6:15 pm on October 17 and involved an unmarked police car.
Flowers and messages have been laid outside Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre, where the fatal collision took place. One heartfelt tribute read:
“Mariam – the most amazing wife, mummy, daughter, sister, and friend. Having you in our lives was such a blessing. You were a real-life angel on earth, and our lives will never be the same again. We promise to always look after your family. Baby – we never got to meet you, but we know that you and mummy are together, looking after each other. You will always be in our hearts. Sleep tight our friend and Bubba. We love you beyond words.”
Eyewitness Accounts Emerge
Witnesses at the scene have come forward with details about the moments leading up to the crash. Abu Bakar, who was nearby, claimed that Mariam was turning into the sports centre when an unmarked police car, “driving on the wrong side of the road,” collided with her vehicle.
The 34-year-old 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.”
Another eyewitness, who chose to remain anonymous, reported that the unmarked police car, believed to be a black Volvo, had its blue lights and siren activated. “I heard it before I saw anything, and I looked out of the window and 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.”
Investigation Underway by IOPC
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now appealing for witnesses as it investigates the circumstances surrounding the crash involving a Metropolitan Police vehicle. The two officers in the unmarked car were taken to the hospital after the collision but have since been discharged.
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, head of policing in Greenwich, expressed his condolences, stating, “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 underway by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and we will assist with their inquiries in any way we can.”
IOPC Regional Director Mel Palmer added, “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have died and all of those affected by this tragic incident. We must establish all of the circumstances surrounding this incident, and our investigation is in its very early stages. This is a busy road, and the collision happened in the early evening when people are likely to have been travelling. We would like to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity at the time and may have witnessed the incident or the moments leading up to it.”
The IOPC is urging anyone with information or footage related to the crash to contact investigators by calling 0300 303 5610 or emailing [email protected].
Authorities continue their investigation as the community mourns the loss of Mariam and her unborn child.
