British 'drink-driver', 23, accused of killing a four-month-old baby in a horror crash in Lanzarote finally appears before a judge after her court appearance was cancelled when she had a panic attack

A British woman accused of drink-driving and causing a horror smash which killed a four-month-old baby in Lanzarote has finally appeared before a judge after her first hearing was cancelled because she had a panic attack.

Olivia Brown, 23, declined to answer questions at the closed hearing yesterday in the island capital Arrecife.

She was told she could remain on bail and a travel ban preventing her from leaving Spain was kept in place.

British mother Alex Chadkirk, 28, was hurt in the March 11 crash after Brown's Ford Fiesta mounted the pavement and careered into her and her baby girl Harper Ayton.

Harper, whose recruitment education worker mum proudly showed off her baby daughter in adorable photos following her birth last November, died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics to save her.

Mother Alex Chadkirk, 28, was injured in the crash and her baby daughter Harper (pictured with Alex) was killed

Mother Alex Chadkirk, 28, was injured in the crash and her baby daughter Harper (pictured with Alex) was killed

The driver has been named as 23-year-old Olivia Brown, with officials saying she tested positive for both drink and drugs at the scene

The driver has been named as 23-year-old Olivia Brown, with officials saying she tested positive for both drink and drugs at the scene

Shocking images of the scene showed police and paramedics working desperately on the stricken pedestrians in the aftermath of the crash

Shocking images of the scene showed police and paramedics working desperately on the stricken pedestrians in the aftermath of the crash

The tot's father Timothy Ayton, 40, was rushed to a nearby hospital and had to be admitted to an intensive care unit along with Alex's mum Andrea Chadkirk.

Alex's father Derek was also hospitalised with less serious injuries.

The family, from South Shields, Tyne & Wear, were holidaying on the island and walking back to their holiday villa in the resort of Playa Blanca when they were hit by Brown's.

A Swedish mother and daughter who had just arrived in the resort were also injured. The younger woman had to be airlifted to a hospital in the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria because of the severity of her injuries.

Brown, described as appearing to be under the influence of drink and drugs by town hall officials after the crash, was taken to hospital after suffering a panic attack on March 14 when her first scheduled court appearance had to be suspended.

The expat, believed to be originally from Glasgow - although she moved to Lanzarote as a child - was told at the time she was being provisionally released pending an ongoing investigation and ordered to surrender her passport and sign on at court twice a month.

Officials confirmed overnight she had made her first full court appearance yesterday.

A spokesman for the investigating judge said: 'The person being investigated over the crash in Playa Blanca in Lanzarote on March 11 appeared at Arrecife Court of Instruction Number One yesterday morning.

'She invoked her right not to testify.

'After the appearance, the precautionary measures dictated at the time, namely the obligation to sign on at court on the 1st and 15th, withdrawal of her passport and a ban on leaving Spain, were kept in place.

Emergency services tried desperately to save little Harper at the scene of the crash

Emergency services tried desperately to save little Harper at the scene of the crash

Ms Chadwick (left) and her partner Timothy Ayton, 40 (not pictured) were both injured, as was Ms Chadwick's own father

Ms Chadwick (left) and her partner Timothy Ayton, 40 (not pictured) were both injured, as was Ms Chadwick's own father

'She continues to be investigated for a crime of manslaughter and another of driving under the influence of alcohol, toxic drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances under article 379.2 of the Spanish penal code.

'The victims are also pressing charges and their statements will be taken in due course. Several technical and forensic reports are yet to be presented.'

In the aftermath of the accident a spokesperson for Yaiza Town Hall, which covers the Playa Blanca area, said in a statement the car driver 'showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs.'

Town hall officials subsequently said she had tested positive for drink and drugs but declined to make further comment about the amounts detected in tests.

The baby girl that died after being hit by the Ford Fiesta Brown was driving was four-and-a-half months old.

The dead tot's paternal grandparents flew to Lanzarote after being informed about the terrible news.

Ms Chadwick's father David Chadwick was also injured in the horror smash, as were a Swedish mother and daughter

Ms Chadwick's father David Chadwick was also injured in the horror smash, as were a Swedish mother and daughter

Brown is said to have been travelling from her home to work when she crashed. She is believed to work at a local hotel.

She told police at the scene the steering on her car had blocked and reports at the time said her vehicle was being tested to see if there could have been any mechanical failures.

She wasn't formally arrested or held in a police cell following the incident.

Officials revealed the British family mown down were heading from a supermarket to their holiday villa when they were hit.

More than a dozen bouquets of flowers and several teddy bears were left by well-wishers at the crash scene.

One note pinned to a bouquet said: 'For a five month old little angel'. Another message said: 'RIP baby girl. Love and prayers to your family'.

OTHER NEWS

27 minutes ago

Couple pulls up safe with estimated $100k in cash while ‘magnet fishing’ in NYC park: report

27 minutes ago

Dax Shepard jokes this Taylor Swift hit was written about him

31 minutes ago

2024 Elections | UDM comments on results and possible coalitions

31 minutes ago

Explore iconic Las Vegas movie moments with a new brainteaser: Can you spot all 20?

31 minutes ago

Watch as Aaron Rodgers ignores Donald Trump at UFC 302... after Jets QB revealed he nearly ran against former President as RFK's VP

31 minutes ago

Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor tipped to star in $30million Australian shark thriller film - as British star confirms her engagement

31 minutes ago

The ‘hardcore’ scientists shifting the dial on obesity

31 minutes ago

Cheong Soo Pieng work doubles estimates at Christie’s auction; Sotheby’s shows Georgette Chen orchids

31 minutes ago

Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg is reportedly considering a return to federal politics

36 minutes ago

Denver Broncos 2024 rookie class now under contract, Troy Franklin signs deal

36 minutes ago

Tales of the Shire Stands at a Fork in the Road Regarding Magic

36 minutes ago

Lionel Messi nets in Miami draw in last game before Copa America

36 minutes ago

Here's How to Invest in Elon Musk’s xAI Through Cathie Wood’s ARK Venture Fund

36 minutes ago

Sudbury and Haverhill Police urge parents to speak to children after reports of youths accessing Deplhi engineering site in Newton Road

36 minutes ago

Liverpool defender refuses to answer tricky Manchester United transfer question

36 minutes ago

‘The world cannot continue to just watch while this happens… We need Ireland to take action against Israel’ says Irish activist

36 minutes ago

US Republicans pile in behind Donald Trump’s campaign of vengeance

41 minutes ago

Why NCIS: Los Angeles Was Canceled

43 minutes ago

Editorial: Guilt could cost untrustworthy Donald Trump votes

43 minutes ago

UK weather: Hay fever warning issued as Met Office urges sufferers to take care in 23C heat

43 minutes ago

US forces destroy one Houthi drone, ballistic missiles in Red Sea, CENTCOM says

43 minutes ago

Antisemitism hearings showed what's happening ‘behind the scenes’ on campuses: Rep. Owens

43 minutes ago

'Zero Chance!' Is Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields 'Competition' Already Over? Steelers Tracker

44 minutes ago

Beijing accuses Taipei, Manila and Washington of escalating tensions in the region

47 minutes ago

Why this photo has sent Woolworths customers into a frenzy and ignited calls to bring back a beloved feature

48 minutes ago

Prospect of peaceful 'reunification' with Taiwan being 'eroded', China says

48 minutes ago

Zelenskyy seeks security assistance at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore

48 minutes ago

Andy Murray speaks out on Alexander Zverev’s domestic abuse case and asks big question

48 minutes ago

Boeing Starliner's crewed launch abruptly halted, again

48 minutes ago

Report: Bayern Munich players circulating viral locker room video of new head coach Vincent Kompany

48 minutes ago

Modi's alliance set to break India's southern ceiling

49 minutes ago

‘Every effort’: Desperate search after explosion

49 minutes ago

Jimbo talks who she hopes to see on her Canadian tour

49 minutes ago

Paris is aiming for the most sustainable Olympics yet. Organizers acknowledge the plan isn't perfect

49 minutes ago

Oil giant Saudi Aramco offers a second stock tranche worth billions of dollars

50 minutes ago

'He should be here with us' | Son of fallen Harris County deputy escorted to high school graduation

50 minutes ago

Coast Guard rescues 8 people, including child, after boat capsizes 36 miles west of Florida coastline

50 minutes ago

“Bridgerton” Star Jessica Madsen Says She's 'in Love with a Woman' in Pride Month Post

50 minutes ago

Parking meters have been around for decades but we're still grappling with the best way to handle paid parking

50 minutes ago

Bumbling car thieves thwarted by…a giant tank?