by David Carter
8 September 2010
A pregnant mother has described her anguish after she was unable to save her teenage son’s life after a tragic road traffic accident in Lincolnshire, when their car plunged into a river.
Rachel Edwards, 39, was driving two-year-old Isabella and sixteen year old Jack, along with two of his friends, when they hit a pothole and veered off the road. Mrs Edwards - who was six months pregnant - escaped through an open window and swam to the surface as the car began to sink. She was able to return for her daughter but was unable to rescue Jack without letting go of Isabella.
Mrs Edwards, who lives in Essex but is originally from Mickleover, Derbyshire, told the Derby Telegraph: "I tried to go back for Jack but I knew if I let go of Isabella then I wouldn't be able to get her back.
"I was just screaming and screaming. (Jack's friends) Tom and Dave had managed to scramble out and they went running off to the nearest house to get help."
Mrs Edwards took her daughter to safety. But when she tried to go back and save her son she claims she was held back by paramedics who arrived at the scene.
A police officer pulled the teenager from the Citroen Xsara estate and he was certified dead in hospital.
© Press Association