By ANGELA GREGORY
A premature baby boy has been delivered at Auckland Hospital nearly a week after his six-months pregnant mother was put on life support following a car accident.
Vannessa Wilton, 27, died on Tuesday night after being taken off life support.
The previous day, her son, Luca Vann Wilton, was
delivered by caesarean and is being cared for in National Women's Hospital.
Mrs Wilton, from Tindalls Bay, was hit by a car on Whangaparaoa Rd on Tuesday last week. Her husband, Troy Wilton, released the baby's name to the Herald but was too upset to talk publicly about the accident.
He said through a hospital spokeswoman that his son's middle name was in memory of his wife.
Accident witnesses have said Mrs Wilton was standing beside the driver's door of her parked car about 4.50pm when a white car hit her.
She was rushed to hospital but never regained consciousness.
Senior Constable Gary Abbott, of the police serious crash unit, said the investigation was at an early stage and no decision had been made whether the female driver, who has hired a lawyer, would be charged.
The tragedy had knocked not just the local community but the staff at Auckland Hospital, Mr Abbott said.
"They feel so sorry for the family. She was only 27 and it was her first baby."
Mrs Wilton was well known on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula through her sporting and church interests.
A family friend, who did not want to be named, said Mrs Wilton played local touch rugby and netball, and was one of the lead singers at the Whangaparaoa Baptist Church.
"She was always bubbly, confident and really sporty."
The friend said Mrs Wilton was talented and confident and was looking forward to being a mother.
"She was showing ... and very excited about their first baby."
Mrs Wilton, a receptionist, worked with her husband in a family business manufacturing gates and fences at Silverdale.
