Child fighting for life after horror car smash that killed man and injured six more as police launch probe

A YOUNG child is fighting for their life and a man has died after a horror car crash that put six more in hospital.

Officers arrived at Iron Railings Cross, on an unnamed road near Tavistock, in Devon at around 12.55pm on Monday.

Devon and Cornwall Police responded to reports of a smash involving a Vauxhall Astra and a Kia Rio.

The force discovered a man, 46, in the front seat passenger of the Kia, and tragically pronounced him dead at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed.

A young child was raced to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Paramedics also transported four people to hospital with serious injuries, while three others suffered minor injuries.

Devon and Cornwall Police have arrested a man in his 30s, from Peterborough, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Police investigating a fatal road traffic collision near Tavistock on Monday 26 August are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

“Officers were called to reports of a collision involving a Vauxhall Astra and a Kia Rio at Iron Railings Cross, on an unnamed road near Tavistock at around 12.55pm.

“A 46-year-old local man, who was the front seat passenger in the Kia, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

“Four other people were taken to hospital with serious injuries. One of them, a young child, sustained life-threatening injuries.

“Three other people sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

“The emergency services attended the scene, and an investigation has been opened to establish the full circumstances.

“The road was reopened at around 12.30am on Tuesday 27 August.

“A man in his 30s from Peterborough has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He has been released on bail, pending further investigations.

“If you witnessed the incident or have any information or dashcam footage that could help with enquiries, please contact police via our website here or by calling 101 quoting log number 363 of 26/8/24.”