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Mother sees baby killed as suspected drink driver 'flees DVLA'
Elizabeth Hopkirk, Evening Standard19.09.08
A baby was killed in front of his mother when a suspected drink-driver mounted the pavement outside a primary school and ploughed into his pushchair.
Finlay Woods, who was 15 months old, was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital after being hit by the 4x4 but died soon after.
Sources close to the investigation said the driver is believed to have been fleeing from DVLA officers who had threatened to impound her car over an out-of-date tax disc.
Finlay's mother, Tina Woods, was on her way to collect her seven-year-old daughter, Olivia, from school when the accident happened at 3.20pm yesterday.
The black Toyota 4WD careered on to the pavement by the gates of Selwyn Junior School in Cavendish Road, Highams Park, east London.
The pushchair was dragged under the wheels and witnesses desperately tried to lift the vehicle clear.
Prayers were being said for Finlay and his family at the school today.
His family were too distressed to speak but described him as a "beautiful baby". His grandparents, Andrew and Linda Scerri, live almost opposite the school and his parents, Tina, 31, and Roger, live at the end of the road.
Witnesses today described the accident. Neighbour John Mottley, 53, said: "I heard screams and rushed out. The car was on the pavement at right angles to the road. The driver must have turned the wheel substantially.
"There were lots of people trying to manhandle the car off the baby but it was such a big car there was nothing they could do."
Neighbours said the 39-year-old driver, a mother-of-three, lived on the next street and owned a local café. She was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
An inquest was due to open today.
Reader views (5)
Rest in peace little Finley my heart goes out to you and your family....the lady who caused this should be locked up and they should throw away the key...it angers me to think that an innocent life has been taken away due to her stupidity..
My heart is with you all this tragic time in your lives xxx
- Chloe, London, Highams Park
One should be required to take a special driving test before being allowed at the wheel of a large 4WD vehicle. They are designed to be able to drive over very rough ground, which means that kerbs and similar urban road features are ineffective. They are therefore as dangerous as an HGV or bus in the wrong (untrained) hands.
- Nigel, London
My thoughts go to Finlleys family as this sad, time, m the angels in heaven will look after this little precious angle, his mum is a very brave ladie , who has a hard journey ahead, but as hard as it seems stay stong for Finleys big sister, love to them all,
- Annalisa, Worcester uk
What does the title of this item actually mean?
Mother sees baby killed as suspected drink driver 'flees DVLA'
- Peter, London
Both the driver and the family are neighbours of mine, the scene was of devastation, the woman driving totally took out the school gates and barrier on the pavement plus had damaged other cars on the road. When I heard who the driver of the vehicle, which is a monstrosity and I would qustion it's roadworthiness, I was not surprised as there has been other issues where I have heard altercations from her house over the years. Her house is currently up for sale, I believe to have been repossessed.
I am praying for the Woods family and grandparents whom I see regularly down my street. RIP little Finlay, you will not be forgetten at Selwyn. There were some very brave men and women down at the school yesterday afternoon, helping out - trying to lift this humungous piece of metal off this poor baby, and one very brave nurse who also helped.
This tragic accident was TOTALLY avoidable.
- Anon, London
