A LITTLE boy is in a stable condition after being hit by a car that killed his mother on a pedestrian crossing.

On Sunday, a motorist driving a blue Ford Focus ploughed into a 29-year-old woman and her five-year-old son who were crossing St Cuthbert’s Way in Darlington.

Members of the public and the emergency services, including the Great North Air Ambulance, rushed to the aid of the stricken pair at around 3.40pm.

The woman was airlifted to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital but died hours later, while her five-year-old was taken to the hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

The tragedy has touched the hearts of people across the region, with many taking to social media to pay their respects to the young mother, who has not yet been formally named.

Floral tributes have been placed at the side of the road where the woman lost her life, one of which said: “Thinking of you and your family. Heartbroken.”

The driver of the Ford – a 36-year-old man – was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

He has been released under investigation while police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

Anyone with information should call Durham Constabulary on non-emergency number 101 and ask to speak to the Collision Investigation Unit.

  • Previous reports based on information from the police stated that the child was four. The Northern Echo can now clarify that he is actually five.