Baby born after car crash dies

A baby girl who was born shortly after her mother was involved in a car crash today has died, police said.

The pregnant woman was being driven to hospital by her partner when the Honda Civic they were in was involved in an accident in the Borders area this morning.

The woman gave birth to her daughter after the crash on the A7 Edinburgh to Carlisle road, about half a mile north of Hawick.

Mother and daughter were taken to Borders General Hospital for treatment, with both said to be in a serious condition. Lothian and Borders Police said later that the baby girl had died.

A police spokesman said: "Tragically, the infant was not strong enough to survive the injuries sustained and there are still concerns with regards to her mother's health."

The woman, who suffered head and chest injuries, was transferred to the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh for treatment.

Her partner, who had to be freed from the Civic by firefighters from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue, is being treated at Borders General Hospital for a serious leg injury.

Emergency services went to the scene after the couple's car was involved in the crash with a Volkswagen Golf at about 8.25am.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are urging the driver of a small red car - possibly a Vauxhall Corsa or a Ford Fiesta - which is thought to have been travelling in front of the Civic to come forward.

The police spokesman said: "We are extremely eager to speak to anyone who can help us determine the full circumstances surrounding this collision and need the driver of the small red car to come forward at once.

"If you were on the A7 around 8.25am, drive a vehicle matching this description and believe you may have information that can assist with our inquiries, we would ask that you contact police immediately."