2-Year-Old Boy Dead, 5 Others Seriously Injured After Car Smashes into Broken Down Vehicle on Busy Highway

A toddler has died and five other people were seriously injured after a vehicle that had broken down in an active lane was struck by another car.

Police said the crash happened at about 6:20 p.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 20, on the A1 northbound carriageway near Peterborough, England. A Toyota Auris, which had broken down in a live lane, was hit by a Volkswagen Touran, according to Cambridgeshire Police.

A 2-year-old boy from London, who was traveling in the Toyota, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Five other people who were also in the Toyota were taken to Peterborough City Hospital with serious injuries, police said.

The 64-year-old Volkswagen driver, a man from Peterborough, suffered minor injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, but has since been released on bail until March 20.

“Our thoughts are with the parents and family of this young child who has tragically lost his life in this collision,” said Sergeant David McIlwhan. He added that the family is being supported by specialist family liaison officers.

McIlwhan also appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision—or who has dashcam footage but was unable to stop at the scene—to contact investigators.

Police said anyone with information should report it online, quoting incident 401 of December 20. Alternatively, reports can be made by calling 101.

The investigation remains ongoing.