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Five-month-old baby dies after van mounts pavement and collides with pram

 Five-month-old Louis Thorold with his mother Rachael Thorold taken just hours before the collision. (Cambridgeshire Police)
Five-month-old Louis Thorold with his mother Rachael Thorold taken just hours before the collision. (Cambridgeshire Police)

A five-month-old baby with a “joyful smile” was killed and his mother is in a critical condition after a van mounted the pavement and veered into them.

Rachael Thorold, 36, was pushing her baby Louis in a pram when a Renault Master van collided with a Mazda 2 car and careered into them on the A10 in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, on Friday afternoon.

The baby died at the scene and his mother was seriously injured and is now in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Both drivers suffered minor injuries.

Ms Thorold, of Gibson Close, Waterbeach, is currently on maternity leave from her role as a planning policy manager for Elmbridge Borough Council, which has its main offices in Esher, Surrey.

Louis’s father Chris Thorold, who is the finance director of Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge, said in a statement released through police: “We will love you always our little Louis.

The van had been hit by a car when it veered into the mother and baby at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire on Friday afternoon. (Google Maps)
The van had been hit by a car when it veered into the mother and baby at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire on Friday afternoon. (Google Maps)

“You were only with us for a short time, but you made us the happiest people in the world.

“I cannot describe how heartbroken we are that you are gone.

“You are such a happy little boy and your joyful smile and laughter will never leave us.

“Your ma-ma is fighting to stay with us and we are praying that she will make it through.

“You will always be in our hearts and do not worry, I am taking care of all your animals.

“We love you so much and we know you will now be safe with granny, grandad and great grandpa in heaven.”

A Cambridgeshire Police spokeswoman told the BBC that inquiries are ongoing and no arrests have yet been made.

Investigators are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage.

Police siren flashing blue lights at accident or crime scene
A Cambridgeshire Police spokeswoman said inquiries are ongoing and no arrests have yet been made. (Getty)

Detective Sergeant Mark Dollard said: "This is an extremely tragic and sad incident and our deepest condolences go out to the family of Louis, who are being supported by a specially trained officer.

"A thorough investigation will now be conducted by my team and I am seeking help from the public.

"While it is too early to say how the collision happened, I want to remind all road users of their responsibilities to drive with care."

A police spokesperson told the Mirror: "Police are appealing for witnesses after a five-month-old baby was killed when a van crashed into his pram in Waterbeach on Friday (22 January).

"The incident happened at about 3.50pm on the A10, Ely Road, when a grey Mazda 2 was in collision with a white Renault Master van.

"The van left the road and collided with Rachel Thorold, 36, of Gibson Close, Waterbeach, who was walking on the pavement with her baby Louis in a pushchair.

"Ms Thorold is in a critical but stable condition at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

"The driver of the van and the driver of the Mazda suffered slight injuries and remained at the scene.

"Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam footage of the collision or moments leading up to it."