Tragedy as two girls, aged 10 and 18 months, are orphaned after losing both their ‘utterly devoted’ parents in head-on crash with ‘drug’ driver
- Robert Bateman, 36, and his wife Paula, 35, died following a head-on collision
- Their daughters Lexi, 10, and Elizabeth, 18 months, were also in the car
- The Ford Focus was in collision with Iveco Daily van on A142 in Cambridgeshire
- Man, 32, was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs
Two young girls have been orphaned after their ‘utterly devoted’ parents were killed in a head-on car collision.
Robert Bateman, 36, and his 35-year-old wife Paula died when their Ford Focus was in collision with an Iveco Daily van on the A142 between Chatteris and Mepal in Cambridgeshire.
Their daughters Lexi, 10, and 18-month-old Elizabeth were also in the car when it crashed just after 8pm on Thursday.
Robert Bateman, 36, and his 35-year-old wife Paula died in a head-on collision in Cambridgeshire. Their daughters Lexi, 10, and Elizabeth, 18 months, were also in the car and have been discharged from hospital
Elizabeth suffered minor injuries while Lexi had serious but not life-threatening injuries. Both have since been discharged from hospital.
Cambridgeshire Police said the van driver, a 32-year-old man from Lincoln, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
He suffered minor injuries and remains in custody.
In a tribute issued through police, the family of Mr and Mrs Bateman, from Manea in Cambridgeshire, described them as ‘utterly devoted parents’.
Mr and Mrs Bateman, from Manea in Cambridgeshire, were described as ‘utterly devoted parents’ by their family
They said: ‘We are utterly devastated by this news. Bob and Paula were much-loved friends to many and will be missed by everyone who knew them.
‘They were also utterly devoted parents.
‘Bob as a much-loved son and father, while Paula was a much-loved daughter, sister and mother.’
Police said Mr Bateman was driving the Ford Focus and his wife as a rear passenger.
Anyone who saw the collision or the vehicles in the lead up to it, or has dash cam footage, is asked to call police on 101.
Their Ford Focus was in collision with an Iveco Daily van on the A142 between Chatteris and Mepal in Cambridgeshire