Tragedy of toddler who spent 22 hours in car cuddled up to the body of his pregnant mother after she died suddenly on the way home from a trip to petting zoo

             

A toddler spent an entire day alone in a parked car with the body of his pregnant mum after she suddenly died at the wheel, it emerged today.

Primary school teacher Alina Roberts collapsed in her car as she returned from a trip to a petting farm with two-year-old son Benjamin in the back seat.

The mother and son then remained in the car for 22 hours until they were found after Mrs Roberts's worried husband, Alex, raised the alarm.

Police officers found the car parked in a residential street in Long Eaton, Derbyshire. Benjamin had wriggled free from his car seat and cuddled up to his mother's body.

It is thought the 33-year-old, who was 22 weeks pregnant, suddenly fell ill in the driver's seat around three miles from home.

A coroner's investigation has been launched - but police have ruled out suicide or suspicious circumstances.

                   

Heartbroken Mr Roberts said: 'It's devastating to know she won't be able to see Benjamin growing up and what should have been our bigger family.

'I will miss living our lives together and sharing those experiences with her.'

He had planned to accompany his son and wife, who worked at Chetwynd Primary Academy, in nearby Toton, Nottinghamshire, on the trip to Lanes Farm in Breaston, Derbyshire, on February 15, but changed his mind.

Mr Roberts, 36, added: 'I was supposed to go with them but at the last moment I said I would stay and do some tidying up.

'We had a kiss and a cuddle when they left. After about an hour, I sent her a text message asking if they were having fun.

'It was about 3.30pm when she replied to say she was coming back in 10 minutes.

'After a while, I tried phoning her but it went straight to answer phone. Eventually, I went out in the car and drove the route I thought she would have taken but I couldn't find her.'

The car was found at 2pm the following day.

Mr Roberts, a database manager, said: 'Benjamin is fine but he was obviously scared and frightened. He had been in the car all that time.

The couple, of Long Eaton, had been married for nine months. Mrs Roberts's funeral was held last Saturday.

Mr Roberts described his wife as a 'fantastic mum', adding: 'She was a very kind, loving and caring person and a very loyal friend.

'Family was very important to her and motherhood came naturally. She had a very special relationship with Benjamin, which I will always remind him of.'

Friends and colleagues of Mrs Roberts have also paid tribute to her.

Lorraine Tonks, principal of Chetwynd Primary Academy, said: 'Alina was one of the hardest-working, caring and kindest teachers I've worked with. She had an infectious laugh and was loved by staff, children and parents.'

Writing online, friend Gareth Cummins said: 'There are so many people whose lives you've touched who will be that bit sadder and emptier because of this senseless loss.