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8 months ago
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FRIENDS of British mum Alex Chadkirk gushed over her baby in posts online before the newborn was killed in a horror crash this week.
Little Harper Ayton died while on holiday with her parents in Lanzarote when an alleged drunk driver mowed down two families.
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SolarpixThe newborn was with her parents Alex Chadkirk, 28, and Timothy Ayton, 40, and grandparents Andrea and Derek Chadkirk on Monday evening when a car ploughed into the group of pedestrians.
Four-month-old Harper, whose mum proudly showed off her baby daughter in adorable photos following her birth last November, died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics to save her.
Timothy is reportedly in a critical condition in a local hospital, where other members of his family are also receiving treatment.
Alex’s mum Andrea Chadkirk was rushed to the same intensive care unit, while Alex’s dad Derek was hospitalised with less serious injuries.
Timothy and Andrea are still in intensive care at Doctor Molina Orosa Hospital in Arrecife. Alex and her dad remain on a ward.
British expat Olivia Brown, 23, who lives on the island, was allegedly over the legal limit and under the influence of alcohol and drugs when her car mounted the pavement and struck two families.
She is accused of manslaughter and drink driving and faced court yesterday; her hearing was suspended after she had a panic attack.
Brown, who is currently under house arrest, could be jailed for up to 25 years if she is found guilty of causing the death of young Harper.
The little one’s family were staying in a rental villa close to a popular waterpark in the Playa Blanca resort.
They had only just begun their holiday when tragedy struck less than a quarter of a mile from where they were staying, reportedly on their return from a supermarket.
Police said Brown’s car was “out of control”.
Eyewitnesses recalled hearing piercing screams as they watched Harper’s mum Alex attempt to revive her baby.
Others attended to the injured pedestrians.
Alex worked at the Newcastle branch of a specialist education recruitment firm called Vision of Education up until her pregnancy.
A Swedish mother and daughter were also injured by Brown’s Ford Fiesta, which eyewitnesses told police was speeding.
She was flown to Gran Canaria for specialist treatment, while her daughter is being treated at a hospital in Arrecife, Lanzarote.
Alex, from South Shields, Tyne & Wear, was congratulated after sharing the captivating first snaps of her newborn in a white woolly hat and matching knitted jumper.
She and her partner clasped their hands together as they held her.
One of her relatives wrote in response: “She is absolutely beautiful sweetheart. Congratulations to you both. Cannot wait to meet her.”
Another well-wisher said: “Absolutely precious.”
A friend who also gave birth recently posed for a snap with Alex in September last year at a baby shower while they were pregnant and said: “I can’t wait for our babies to grow up together.”
Another pal replied at the time: “Looking beautiful ladies.”
Brown is understood to be originally from Glasgow but moved to Lanzarote when she was a child.
Her first scheduled court appearance had to be suspended yesterday when she suffered a panic attack after being smuggled into the building past waiting press by police.
Officials confirmed yesterday that Brown would remain under investigation.
She is said to have been travelling home from work, reportedly at a local hotel, when she crashed.
Hospital insiders say Harper’s father, maternal grandmother, mother, and maternal grandfather are all expected to survive.
The tot’s paternal grandparents flew to Lanzarote on Wednesday after being informed of the terrible news.
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