A pregnant woman and her unborn child have died after the car they were travelling in was hit by an unmarked police car.

The Metropolitan Police said the unmarked police vehicle was in collision with a member of the public’s car on the A20, near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road, in Eltham, south-east London.

The 38-year-old heavily pregnant woman and her unborn baby died as a result of their injuries.

London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and London’s Air Ambulance all attended the scene at 18:15 BST on Thursday.

The woman’s next of kin have been informed, the Met said.

Det Ch Supt Trevor Lawry said: “My heart goes out to the woman’s family and friends who have lost their loved ones in these tragic circumstances.”

Two officers who were in the unmarked car were also taken to hospital following the collision, and have since been discharged.

Det Ch Supt Lawry said an investigation was under way and the incident had been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).

A spokesperson for the IOPC confirmed they were investigating the incident.

The Met confirmed it was one of their own vehicles and not from a neighbouring force.

It is unclear whether the police car was responding to an emergency at the time, and the Met said this question would form part of its inquiries.

The IOPC spokesperson said: “We sent investigators to the scene and post-incident process to begin gathering evidence. Our investigation is in the very early stages.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who has died and all of those affected by this tragic incident.”

Det Ch Supt Lawry said a road closure remained in place at the scene and advised motorists to use alternative routes.