Baby who escaped crash that killed his mum fighting for his life in hospital

Nicole Newman was killed, and her son Luciano Newman Bianco was critically injured, when they were hit by a car in Croydon Road, Penge, on Sunday.
Nicole Newman was killed, and her son Luciano Newman Bianco was critically injured, when they were hit by a car in Croydon Road, Penge, on Sunday.

A baby that survived the crash that killed his mother is fighting for his life, his grandmother has revealed.

Eight-month-old Luciano Newman Bianco was in a pram when he and his mum Nicole Newman, 23, were struck by a car on Sunday night, in Penge, South London, his father Charlie Bianco-Ashley was with the pair but escaped uninjured.

Baby Luciano is in a critical condition and was due to undergo major surgery on Monday.

The Met Police said they were called to Croydon Road, Penge, at 8.08pm on Sunday after Miss Newman was hit by the car but she was declared dead at the scene.

Nicole Newman was killed, and her son Luciano Newman Bianco was critically injured, when they were hit by a car in Croydon Road, Penge, on Sunday. (Facebook)
Nicole Newman was killed, and her son Luciano Newman Bianco was critically injured, when they were hit by a car in Croydon Road, Penge, on Sunday. (Facebook)

Reports claim the dying mum screamed “where’s my baby” after she and the pram were hit by a car in Penge, south London, on Sunday night.

On Monday, Gabriella Bianco-Ashley, Luciano’s grandmother said her grandson was in a critical condition awaiting back surgery.

The 51-year-old driver of the car was also injured but has now been discharged from hospital and is helping police with their enquiries but has not been arrested.

Speaking from her home near Penge, Ms Bianco-Ashley said the couple were ‘perfect for each other’ and described them as ‘childhood sweethearts’ who have been together for 10 years.

She said: “He has had to be resuscitated twice. I’m about to go to the hospital now. The baby’s got to have surgery. He’s going to have a scan and then he’s going to have surgery.

“There’s something wrong with his vertebrae.”

Nicole Newman was killed, and her son Luciano Newman Bianco was critically injured, when they were hit by a car in Croydon Road, Penge, on Sunday. (SWNS)
Nicole Newman was killed, and her son Luciano Newman Bianco was critically injured, when they were hit by a car in Croydon Road, Penge, on Sunday. (SWNS)

Italian-born Gabriella said Nicole was a ‘lovely girl’ and she knew her well, as she had been staying at the Bianco-Ashley home for a year while pregnant and just after the baby was born.

But she said the couple had recently got their own privately-rented flat – which was being paid for by Charlie, 25, a warehouse worker.

Nicole was on Universal Credit and stayed at home to care for their son, according to Mrs Bianco-Ashley.

Mrs Bianco-Ashley said: “They have been sleeping on the floor for the last year. They have been together since they were 12.

Nicole Newman was killed, and her son Luciano Newman Bianco was critically injured, when they were hit by a car in Croydon Road, Penge, on Sunday. (SWNS)
Nicole Newman was killed, and her son Luciano Newman Bianco was critically injured, when they were hit by a car in Croydon Road, Penge, on Sunday. (SWNS)

“The baby is eight-and-a-half months old now and they have their own little flat. They could not get a flat from the council and they went private.

“I called them yesterday as I had not seen them, and I usually see them every day. Charlie said ‘we are watching a film’.

“Then a few hours later this happens.

“As soon as I heard I took a mini cab, I ran out into the road and Charlie pulled me back and said ‘I don’t want you to be killed too’.

“This car came from nowhere.

“They were going to drop the baby up to her mum’s. Because it’s a quicker way to walk. There were no cars on the road and the car came from nowhere.”

Mrs Bianco-Ashley added: “They are a lovely couple, perfect for each other.

“And the baby is so beautiful.”

One witness of the aftermath of the incident described the scene in a video on Facebook.

“Boy what a sad start for 2019. (I was) just passing, going about my business and I came across such a horrific accident. A car hit a babymother while she was trying to cross the road.

“The fire brigade is here, the ambulance are here, the police are here.”

Detectives have appealed for witnesses or anyone who has video footage of the collision to come forward.

Those with information can call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8285 1574 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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