Baby dies and mum fighting for life as six arrested after 'hit and run'

A baby boy delivered after a horrific hit and run has died - while his mother fights for her life - as police arrest six people

A baby boy, who was delivered after a horrific hit and run incident, has tragically passed away while his mother continues to fight for her life. Lancashire Police have arrested six individuals in connection with the incident, four of whom are teenagers, including a 16-year-old boy.

The tragic event occurred on Sunday evening in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire. A pregnant woman in her 30s was hit by a dark grey Toyota Prius at a pedestrian crossing.

The driver failed to stop at the scene and police are currently trying to locate the vehicle. Emergency services rushed to the scene and managed to successfully deliver the baby, however, he later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

His mother remains in a serious condition. Among those arrested are a 17-year-old girl from the Lostock Hall area, a 19-year-old man from Bolton, Greater Manchester, and a 40-year-old man from Blackburn.

They were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice and are currently in custody. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, and a 53-year-old man, all from Bamber Bridge, who were previously arrested in relation to the incident, have been released on bail while investigations continue, reports Lancashire Live.

A spokesperson for the police force has urged anyone with information about a car involved in a collision, or its whereabouts, to come forward. The vehicle, a Toyota Prius with the registration FY62 MXC, was seen heading along Station Road towards Preston after the incident.

"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," they said. They also appealed for any CCTV, dashcam, Ring doorbell or mobile phone footage.

The investigation into what police have described as an "absolutely appalling incident" is making steady progress. 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."

She added: "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."

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101, quoting log 1163 of September 29, email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at SCIU@lancashire.police.uk, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers.org.