Two-year-old boy 'smashed through brick wall' in east London horror car crash

The baby boy left critically injured after a car crash on Monday has been named as two-year-old Ethan Basten.

Ethan and his mother, 25-year-old Leanne Digby, were rushed to hospital after being hit by a dark blue Mercedes A180 in Rainham on Tuesday.

The driver was arrested at the scene, on South End Road, on suspicion of drug driving. He has been released under investigation.

Ethan's uncle, Matthew Woods, told the Standard the toddler had "lost all his teeth and gums" and been left with "a hole from his mouth to his nose".

He said: "His condition has stabilised now but obviously the whole situation has been awful.

"He had an operation last night and - although it felt like it was touch-and-go for a bit - we think he's going to be OK.

"The impact of the hit just smashed him through a brick wall...He's lost all of his teeth, his gums - he's got a hole in his face all the way from his mouth to his nose."

Mr Woods says Ms Digby and her son were on the way home from school when the incident happened.

He is now raising money for the family because Ethan's father, Cliffton Woods, has been left unable to work following an operation of his own.

"He can't go back to work for another six weeks and we hope we'll be able to help get them through.

"It's one thing to nearly lose your baby like this but they shouldn't have to face losing the house."

To donate to help Ethan's family, click here.