Roadworks ‘may have weakened lamp post that crushed baby’

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The one-year-old is fighting for his life after the 40ft metal post crashed onto his pram on the pavement outside Chiswick Town Hall.

Father Colin Wren told today how his two-year-old daughter Poppy narrowly escaped injury when the lamp post fell, knocking out his mother-in-law, 62, who was pushing her pram.

Health and Safety Executive inspectors have visited the site by Turnham Green, where building works have been carried out in recent weeks.

Sources said investigators believe the post's base could have been weakened by heavy machinery used to dig up the footpath. Four contractors are thought to have been working on the site, including a utility company and one improving the road layout.

The baby, who has not been named, remains in a critical condition, police said. His pram was snapped in two in the accident yesterday morning.

A 62-year-old woman, not thought to be related to the child, was pinned under the lamp post and is in hospital with suspected spinal injuries.

A female carer who was looking after the baby was unhurt. It is believed they may have been going to an activity class at the town hall.

Witness Nora Correa, 45, said: "It was awful. The pram was completely crushed by the impact and the wheels had been sheared off. It was a miracle the baby was not killed.

"At first he was not breathing — a woman was doing CPR. He was so pale and his eyes were closed. Eventually he started breathing. The man was standing beside the little boy shaking, he tried to touch him but a policeman stopped him. The police brought a woman to the scene very quickly. She seemed to be the mother and she was extremely upset."

Mrs Correa added: "They have been doing roadworks for a long time and it has been a complete mess."

Mr Wren, 41, from Chiswick, said his mother-in-law Mary Gregory left hospital today but was still shaken.

The HSE said: "We are involved in a joint investigation with police and our inspectors have been on site." Hounslow council said works included road repairs, and improvements to pavements and pedestrian crossings.