A seven-month-old baby has died following a late-night crash which has forced drivers onto a 41-mile diversion through Leicestershire. Police say they are investigating whether the incident was linked to icy conditions.
Lincolnshire Police said it was called to reports of a collision at around 10.50pm on the A1 last night (Thursday, January 2), after a yellow Honda Jazz left the southbound carriageway around 500 yards from the Spittlegate junction and hit a tree.
Officers said the baby boy was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but he was pronounced dead shortly after 5am this morning (Friday, January 3). A woman travelling in the car suffered serious injuries, while two other passengers were not seriously hurt, added police.
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A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said: “We were called to a report that a yellow Honda Jazz had left the road about 500 yards from the Spittlegate junction of the southbound carriageway, before colliding with a tree and coming back to rest on the carriageway. It is not believed that any other vehicles were involved. The family is being supported by specially-trained officers.”
Officers are asking for dashcam footage from drivers who used the route in recent days to check road conditions. “We would also been keen to view any footage of the collision itself and ask that anyone who was traveling that in that area who we have not yet spoken with to get in touch,” the force added.
The closure forced National Highways to implement a lengthy diversion through Melton, Upper Broughton, Ab Kettleby and Waltham on the Wolds. Motorists must follow a “Hollow Square” symbol through three counties before rejoining the A1.
Anyone with information should email SCIUinvestigators@lincs.police.uk or call 01522 212316, quoting incident number 382 of January 2.
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