Friday, September 4, 2020

Two girls orphaned as ‘utterly devoted’ parents die in head-on crash

Robert Bateman, 36, and his wife Paula, 35,
Robert Bateman, 36, and his wife Paula, 35, died, leaving two young children (Picture: PA)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after two ‘utterly devoted’ parents died in a head-on crash. 

Two young girls, aged 1 and 10, have been left orphaned by the horrific incident in Cambridgeshire on Thursday night. 

Robert Bateman, 36, and his wife Paula, 35, died when their car crashed with a van on the A142 between Chatteris and Mepal.

Their daughters Lexi, 10, and 18-month-old Elizabeth were also in the car at the time but escaped with non life-threatening injuries. 

In a tribute issued through police, the family of Mr and Mrs Bateman, from Manea in Cambridgeshire, described them as ‘utterly devoted parents’.

‘We are utterly devastated by this news,’ they said. ‘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 was a much-loved son and father, while Paula was a much-loved daughter, sister and mother.’

Both of the couple’s children have now been discharged from hospital. Elizabeth suffered minor injuries while Lexi had serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Family picture of the Batemans
The couple were described as utterly devoted parents (Picture: PA)
Picture supplied by Bav Media 07976 880732. Picture dated September 4th shows the section of A142 Isle of Ely Way in Chatteris,Cambridgeshire,where Robert and Paula Bateman died after their car was in a head-on collision with a van, involving a suspected drug driver last night (Thurs). Heartfelt tributes have been paid to two ?utterly devoted? parents who died after a collision in Cambridgeshire last night (September 3). The head-on collision involved a Ford Focus and an Iveco Daily van and took place on the A142 between Chatteris and Mepal just after 8pm. Emergency services attended but the man driving the Ford Focus and his wife, who was one of the rear passengers, died at the scene. The couple have now been named by police as Robert Bateman, 36 and known as Bob, and his wife Paula Bateman, 35, of Westfield Road, Manea, March. The pair?s two daughters, Lexi aged 10 and 18-month old Elizabeth, were also in the car. It was initially thought that both girls, who were taken to hospital, suffered minor injuries. SEE COPY CATCHLINE Utterly devoted parents die in head-on collision
The scene of the crash this morning (Picture: Bav Media)

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.

Police said Mr Bateman was driving the Ford Focus and his wife was a rear passenger.

Anyone who saw the collision or the vehicles in the lead up to it, or has dashcam footage, is asked to call police on 101.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.



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