Select Page

Law refuses to acknowledge tragic death of unborn baby in car crash

The aftermath of the collision on the B3151/Grace’s parents Jackie and Tom Luxton (Image:SomersetLive)

A mother from Somerset who tragically lost her child in a car crash has had her case put directly before the Prime Minister. Jackie Luxon was 26 weeks pregnant when she was involved in a serious car crash, which resulted in the death of her unborn child, Grace.

The driver of the other vehicle was later found guilty of dangerous driving, but only the injuries of Jackie and her 3 year old daughter (who was also in the car) were relevant to the case. Her unborn child, Grace, had no recognition in law so her tragic death could not be taken into account.

The couple discovered that the Road Traffic Act 1988 does not recognise an unborn baby (of 24 weeks or more gestation) as a person.

Grace’s parents now want the law changed so that there is some recognition of the loss of their daughter’s life.

Grace’s mother, Jackie said: “My heart was torn to pieces when we were informed that my baby girl no longer showed signs of life. It’s heartbreaking that no prosecution can be brought for the loss of her life. We hope that consideration is made for changes to this law going forward.”

James Heappey, Conservative MP for Wells, put this case to the Prime Minister on the 22nd May. He explained:

The baby, Grace, got no justice at all. I understand from the police and stillbirth support groups that the Luxon’s tragic experience is, sadly, far from unique. Will the Prime Minister look again at the Road Traffic Act 1988 so that those who cause death to viable babies over 24 weeks’ gestation through dangerous driving can be held responsible for these tragic losses of life?

This is an important question and it is a great sadness that Grace’s life is not taken into account at all simply because she is in the womb. As the MP pointed out, this sort of case is “far from unique”.

Parents deserve to have their unborn children recognised under the law, as do the unborn children themselves. Obviously no change in the law could bring Grace back, but it would at least acknowledge that she existed, that she has worth and that her life meant something.

Dear reader,

You may be surprised to learn that our 24-week abortion time limit is out of line with the majority of European Union countries, where the most common time limit for abortion on demand or on broad social grounds is 12 weeks gestation.

The latest guidance from the British Association of Perinatal Medicine enables doctors to intervene to save premature babies from 22 weeks. The latest research indicates that a significant number of babies born at 22 weeks gestation can survive outside the womb, and this number increases with proactive perinatal care.

This leaves a real contradiction in British law. In one room of a hospital, doctors could be working to save a baby born alive at 23 weeks whilst, in another room of that same hospital, a doctor could perform an abortion that would end the life of a baby at the same age.

The majority of the British population support reducing the time limit. Polling has shown that 70% of British women favour a reduction in the time limit from 24 weeks to 20 weeks or below.

Please click the button below to sign the petition to the Prime Minister, asking him to do everything in his power to reduce the abortion time limit.