A seven-month-old baby boy has died after a car crashed into a tree on the A1 near Grantham in Lincolnshire.
The tragic incident occurred just after 10.50pm on Thursday when the vehicle left the southbound carriageway.
The infant was rushed to hospital following the collision but was pronounced dead just after 5am. The family is being supported by specialist officers as police investigate whether icy conditions played a role in the fatal crash.
A woman also travelling in the same car suffered serious injuries, while two other passengers were not seriously injured.
The incident took place near the Spittlegate junction of the southbound carriageway near GranthamGoogle Maps/PAA spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “The road was closed in both directions while emergency services worked, and the southbound carriageway remains closed by Highways while they carry out investigative work along the roadside.
“We are now investigating the cause of the collision, and while we are keeping an open mind, we are considering whether this was linked to icy conditions on the carriageway in that area.
“We are asking for help from anyone who may have been driving in that area over the past few days to get in touch with information or dashcam they may have which show conditions over the past few days.
“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.”
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It comes as the Met Office has issued two new amber weather warnings for snow and ice across parts of England and Wales for the weekend.
The warnings, in place from Saturday evening through to Sunday, cover most of Wales, central England and northern England.
Forecasters predict up to 30cm of snowfall could occur locally in the warning areas. Amber alerts were issued on Thursday and will run until January 8, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
Head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA Dr Agostinho Sousa said: “The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting
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Health Secretary Wes Streeting said on Friday it is “a weekend to layer up and put the heating on” due to the cold conditions.
He told the BBC: “We are heading into a cold snap this weekend and I know there are lots of concerns, not just amongst charity leaders, but also among NHS and social care leaders as well, about the particular risks and vulnerabilities this weekend as temperatures drop, both in terms of risk of accident and injury, but also risk from the cold itself.
“This is a weekend to wrap up and keep warm, to take sensible precautions about going out and about.”