By Shaun Milne
A WOMAN and her new born child were fighting for life in hospital today (mon) after she gave birth soon after being cut free from a horror car crash in the Borders.
The pregnant woman and what was thought to be her partner were trapped in their southbound Honda Civic after it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Golf half a mile north of Hawick.
Three ambulances, two fire and rescue crews and police were scrambled to the scene at 8.22am after witnesses reported smoke coming from one of the cars following the accident on the A7 Edinburgh to Carlisle Road.
The pregnant woman was freed from the car by fire-fighters using hydraulic cutting equipment and raced to Borders General Hospital in Melrose.
Lothian and Borders Police said the woman gave birth to her child but said both were in a “serious condition”.
The said they did not yet know the sex of the child or how far pregnant the woman had been.
A spokeswoman for Borders General Hospital said they were unwilling to expand any further on the police statement.
One emergency source described it as being “touch and go”.
Her partner, who was also freed by fire-fighters, was taken to the same hospital where he was being treated for what police called a “serious” leg injury.
A third woman, who had been driving the Volkswagen southbound, was also freed by fire crews but suffered only “minor” injuries, according to police.
She was also transferred to Borders General to be assessed.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service who sent a full-time and retained crew from Hawick to deal with the emergency, confirmed they had to free all three casualties at the scene.
The Scottish Ambulance Service said they had three separate crews at the scene and all had attended at hospital.
They were unable to provide any further specifics on the nature of the injuries or conditions of those involved.
However they confirmed they were told to expect smoke coming from at least one car and a number of trapped casualties.
Lothian and Borders Police confirmed the road had been closed while investigators tried to establish how the collision had happened.
A spokesman said: “We are still in the process of piecing together the circumstances surrounding this collision, which has resulted in some serious injuries to those involved.
“We would urge any motorists who were on the road and can assist with our enquiries to come forward.
“We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a small red car, which was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the collision.
“The driver of this vehicle is asked to contact police as soon as possible.”
They appealed for witnesses to contact them on 0131 311 3131.
