Girl Dies As 'Buggy Blown Into Road' In Croydon

A three-year-old girl has died after her buggy was blown into the path of a van, according to reports.

The child, named in reports as Olivia Uffindell, died in hospital shortly after the collision in Wellesley Road, Croydon, south London.

Witnesses said the child's mother, named as Louise Uffindell, 29, left the pushchair on the pavement outside her home to fetch something from inside when it was blown into the road and struck by a Mercedes Sprinter van.

Olivia's grandmother Debbie McClatchie described her as "such a lovely girl".

"She had a great character. She was my only grandchild, very chatty, very friendly, very funny, very clever," she said.

"I don't know how we are going to live without her."

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service shortly before 9am on Monday.

The girl was taken to St George's Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 10.03am.

The 36-year-old driver of the van, who stopped at the scene, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed until May.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out, Scotland Yard said.

Police are appealing for witnesses and officers from the Road Death Investigation Unit are investigating.

A single floral tribute lay outside the family home on Tuesday as neighbours expressed their shock at the death.

Glenford Evans said the community was "devastated".

"She was a beautiful little girl. Very quiet, very friendly. It's just absolutely awful," she added.