Toddler fighting for life after death crash horror

Jun 24 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A WOMAN was killed and a toddler is fighting for her life last night after a head-on crash in Northumberland.

The crash between a car and a wagon carrying timber happened on the A696 near Milbourne, three miles north of Ponteland, around 1.40pm.

The 18-month-old girl was cut free from the wreckage by firefighters after being trapped in the vehicle for 40 minutes.

She was airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance with injuries to her legs and arms following the collision.

Last night police said she had suffered multiple fractures and was undergoing treatment in hospital where her injuries were life-threatening.

The woman who was driving the car, and who is believed to be the girl’s childminder, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Family were being informed last night and no more details have been revealed.

The wagon left the road and landed in a field but the driver was uninjured. Another car was also involved in the collision but its driver was also uninjured.

The A696 was closed for more than four hours to remove the wreckage and investigate the accident scene.

A spokeswoman for the Great North Air Ambulance said the little girl was described as an absolute star by the medical team on board who transferred her to hospital in six minutes.

She added: “She was absolutely brilliant and was so brave.”

A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service added: “We were called to the A696 three miles north of Ponteland after receiving a call at 1.41pm.

“We arrived at 1.53pm and sent a rapid response car, ambulance and an air ambulance was launched.

“One female who was a fatality was confirmed dead at the scene and one 18-month old was injured and has been airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital with multiple fractures.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Police were called to a serious crash near Belsay in Northumberland. It involved two cars and a heavy goods vehicle.

“One woman has died in the crash and a two-year-old girl has been taken to Newcastle General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. No one else was hurt.

“The road was closed and traffic diversions were put in place. At this stage we are releasing no more details about the casualty.”