A woman who was forced to give birth to her stillborn daughter after she was injured in a horror crash has spoken of how the tragic incident has changed her life.

Louise Abbott, 29, of Finchingfield, was left seriously injured after a car crashed into the side of the vehicle she was travelling in.

Last year Leroy Margolis, a 30-year-old accountant, was given a two year jail term after being convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Nursery worker Louise was 25 weeks pregnant when the accident happened in Cambridge in 2016.

She suffered internal bleeding and her waters broke in the ambulance on her way to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

At hospital Louise and husband Laurence were told the devastating news that their baby had died from head injuries caused by seatbelt trauma.

Louise delivered Layla naturally the following day as she was unable to have a caesarean.

She said: “The crash, finding out Layla had died and then giving birth to her is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“It is almost impossible to put into words the effect it has had on me and Laurence.

“We go through a full mix of emotions each day knowing that Layla should still be part of our family and thinking what if, even though the events were clearly out of our control.”

A few months after the collision Louise and Laurence found out they were expecting another child.

Their daughter, Avery, has just celebrated her first birthday.

Louise, who was speaking during Baby Loss Awareness Week, added: “At first we felt guilty because of Layla but Avery was not a replacement for Layla.

“Layla will also be part of our family. Avery will know all about her big sister but we will always be sad that they never got to meet each other and grow up with one another, forming the bonds and friendships sisters should.”

Louise has received an undisclosed settlement to pay for the specialist therapies and support she is continuing to receive following her ordeal.

Tracey Storey, partner at Irwin Mitchell which helped Louise get her settlement, added: “It may have been two years since Layla’s death but the pain and loss that Louise and Laurence continue to experience is still understandably extremely raw.

“While no amount of money will ever make up for what has happened, we are pleased that Louise has been able to access the support she needs so she, Laurence and their family can try and look to the future the best they can while never forgetting Layla.

“Layla’s death also vividly highlights the need for drivers to take care at all times so other innocent road users don’t have to suffer like Louise and Laurence have.”