Baby death unconnected to crash

A baby who died two days after her buggy was hit by a car died of natural causes, Northumbria Police have said.

Ellie Walls, from Washington, who was 13 days old, was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital after the crash in Houghton-le-Spring on Saturday.

She was later released, but on Monday she suffered breathing problems and died in hospital.

A police spokesman confirmed Ellie died of natural causes and the crash had nothing to do with her death.

He said: "The death is unconnected with any other incident and a post-mortem examination has shown the baby died of natural causes.

"The matter will be passed to the coroner. There will be no further investigation in relation to this death."

He said officers were still investigating the collision in which he said a Vauxhall Astra reversed into Queensway and was hit by a Fiat Punto.

It ended up hitting a fence, knocking Ellie out of her buggy and onto the pavement.