September 4, 2020 5.09 pm This story is over 42 months old

Couple named after fatal A142 crash involving Lincoln driver

Surviving children discharged from hospital
The Bateman family. Photo: Cambridgeshire Police

A husband and wife who died in a crash on the A142 between Chatteris and Mepal in Cambridgeshire have been named by police.

The collision in Cambridgeshire, involving a Ford Focus and an Iveco Daily van driven by a Lincoln man, happened just after 8pm on Thursday, September 3.

Robert Bateman, 36, who is known as Bob, and his wife Paula Bateman, 35, of Westfield Road, Manea, March died in the crash.

Bob was driving the Ford Focus and his wife was one of the rear passengers.

Their two daughters Lexi, aged 10, and 18-month old Elizabeth were also in the car.

Bob and Paula Bateman died in the crash in Cambridgeshire. Photo: Cambridgeshire Police

It was initially thought that both girls suffered minor injuries, but police said further hospital checks revealed Lexi had suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

Both girls have since been discharged from hospital.

The van driver, who is a 31-year-old man from Lincoln, suffered minor injuries. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs after allegedly failing a roadside test.

He remains in custody at Thorpe Wood Police Station on Friday afternoon.

In a statement, Bob and Paula’s family 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 was a much-loved son and father, while Paula was a much-loved daughter, sister and mother.”

Anyone who saw the collision or the vehicles in the lead up to it, or who has dashcam footage, is being urged to contact Cambridgeshire Police via the force’s web chat or by calling 101, quoting incident number 478 of September 3.