This is the first picture of the tragic five-month-old baby who died in Lanzarote after a driver ‘under the influence of alcohol’ mounted the pavement and mowed down two families.
Harper Ayton, pictured being cuddled by her mother, had been on holiday with her parents Alex Chadkirk, 28, and Timothy Ayton, 40, and grandparents Andrea and Derek Chadkirk before the shocking incident on Monday evening.
Timothy is said to be in a critical condition in a local hospital where the rest of the family, who are believed to be from South Shields, are also receiving treatment.
The driver, Olivia Brown, 23, was allegedly over the legal limit when her ‘out of control’ car mounted the pavement and slammed into the family.
She is currently under house arrest and could be jailed for up to 25 years for causing the death of the new-born baby. The minimum sentence she faces is seven years.
Harper Louise Ayton, the five-month-old baby killed in a horror crash in Lanzarote on Monday
Mother Alex Chadkirk with her baby, Harper Louise. Alex was among six injured in the crash
Grandparents Andrea and Derek Chadkirk were also injured in the accident
The family were staying in a rental villa close to a popular waterpark in the Playa Blanca resort.
They were less than quarter of a mile from the villa when they were hit by the ‘out of control’ car.
Eye witnesses described hearing piercing screams and watched as the mother attempted to revive her baby while others attended to the injured.
They group had only just started their holiday and were reportedly on their way back from a nearby supermarket when they were hit.
Until her pregnancy Alex worked for a specialist education recruitment firm called Vision of Education.
Staff at the Newcastle branch where she worked were aware that she had been involved in an accident.
A member of staff said:’ I am sorry but we just cannot talk about that.’
A Swedish mother and daughter were also injured by the Ford Fiesta which eyewitnesses have told police was speeding and made no attempt to slow down before mounting the pavement.
The mother suffered three heart attacks while in hospital and is still listed in a critical condition having been flown to Gran Canaria for specialist treartment. Her daughter remains in Lanzarote at a hospital in Arrecife.
Speaking to the MailOnline, one young English family revealed that in the aftermath of the crash there was panic on the streets of the idyllic holiday spot.
They said: ‘It was horrific. People who saw it stopped us from coming down as they didn’t want our daughter to see it.
‘What we did see was bad enough.
‘We heard this harrowing scream from one of the injured women and there was a man who had a really bad head injury, his entire skull was badly cut up.
‘A couple in our hotel who saw it have already cut their holiday short, which is understandable.
‘They saw too much. We keep thinking, it could have been us.
‘Everything we’re doing on holiday, we just think: ‘They should be doing this.’
‘It’s just terrible.’
Yesterday, Brown’s first appearance at court had to be abandoned after she suffered a panic attack and was unable to give any evidence.
A judge at the Arrecife Court ruled that Olivia Brown was ‘not fit’ to make a statement and give her version about the accident in the resort of Playa Blanca.
Court sources said the 23-year-old was ‘distraught and unable to answer any questions’
A spokesman for the court said ex pat Brown was facing charges of reckless homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The hotel worker has been granted bail and ordered to report to a police station on the 1st and 15th of each month.
Brown lives on the island with her parents and is understood to work at a hotel in the resort of Playa Blanca where the accident took place.
Her social media shows scenes of sunset on the island, posing in front of palm trees and with her mother.
The Brown family are thought to have lived on the island for several years.
Days after the crash, floral tributes and teddy bears continue to be left at the scene of the accident.
One note pinned to a bouquet said:’For a five month old little angel’.
Another message said:’ RIP baby girl. Love and prayers to your family’.
Alex Chadkirk (left) was injured in Monday’s crash. Her baby tragically died
Grandparents Andrea and David Chadkirk were among six injured in the crash
Olivia Brown could face up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of manslaughter
23-year-old Olivia Brown appeared in court on Thursday, accused of driving under the influence
Shocking images of the scene showed police and paramedics working desperately on the stricken pedestrians in the aftermath of the crash
More than half a dozen bouquets and five teddy bears had been left by well wishers shocked by the new born’s death.
At the scene debris from the car is still in the road.
The point of impact was on the wide road opposite a hotel and close to a waterpark.
There was no sign of any skid marks from an attempt to brake and slow the car down prior to the collision.
A stone wall surrounding an apartment complex had been demolished in the impact.
