Airborne Car Struck Me; Baby Lifeless In Someone’s Arms, Father Recalls

Rob Hall faced a terrible time. He sat in a children’s hospital garden. His own world, with family, had ended. Rob called his mother via FaceTime. It was their last talk.

She lay dying in Withybush Hospital. Motor neurone disease had taken hold, and she was in her final hours. Rob stayed by Mom’s side for two weeks, but he wasn’t there at the very end. His baby, Mabli, was also fighting for life.

Rob walked outside with Mabli earlier, needing a break from the pain. Saying goodbye to Mom was heartbreaking. He took his eight-month-old daughter with him.

A car sped across the road nearby, jumping the curb toward the hospital entrance. The car hit Rob, his brother, and Mabli’s stroller. A peaceful day turned into horror in seconds. Rob flew into a parking space and, hurt, he panicked about Mabli’s safety. He couldn’t see her, only the wrecked stroller. A white BMW caused all this damage.

Rob remembered his mom’s illness, which started two weeks before this tragedy. The family went to see her daily, and Mabli came along each day too. She brightened their difficult time and even made Mom smile a bit. Doctors said they couldn’t do more for Mom. Mabli and her mother, Gwen, went home on Tuesday, while Rob stayed to be with his mother.

Gwen and Mabli came back the next day. June 21, 2023, would become a day full of tragedy. “We were saying goodbye to my mam,” Rob said. Mabli held her hand in the hospital room. Then, they went outside for a walk. Rob saw his brother by some trees, and went over. Rob took Mabli out, calling his son, and told his brother about their walk before putting Mabli back and buckling the stroller straps.

That’s Rob’s last clear memory of normal life. Everything changed from that moment on. Mabli was with him, and she was precious.

Suddenly, he heard awful revving and screeching. Rob saw a white car flying in the air. Then, Rob was hit and tossed into a parking space. On his hands and knees, he saw the stroller under it. Chaos erupted with people running around. Three nurses helped Rob up. He only cared about baby Mabli. Nobody could find Mabli. Then, Rob saw someone holding her body. He cannot explain that feeling.

Mabli was thrown quite a distance. The speeding car traveled 28 meters at 30 mph. Doctors and nurses rushed to treat her, while Rob and his brother wandered, injured and dazed. The waiting room filled with screams of those who witnessed it.

Mabli’s mother was still with her dying mother-in-law. Minutes later, Gwen ran to the emergency room. She didn’t yet know why, but she knew it was Mabli. Someone told her about the accident. Then, Gwen saw doctors trying to save her.

Mabli was airlifted to a hospital in Cardiff, one hundred miles away. Her parents couldn’t fly with her, so they rode in the back of a police car. Arriving at 3 pm, they waited to see Mabli. Rob said those hours were heartbreaking. He needed a head scan. They sat waiting, apart from their daughter. Gwen hadn’t been away from her this long, ever.

Mabli was moved to a Bristol children’s hospital. Rob and Gwen saw machines, tubes, and wires keeping her alive. Rob said she was very unwell. They asked if she would be okay, but they got no answers. At 3 a.m., a doctor sat with them and said Mabli would likely not survive. Rob was devastated and physically sick. It was the worst news ever. At first, they refused to believe it. Things worsened sadly still. They stayed with Mabli for hours and hours. The machines made horrible noises.

Rob’s brother called about their mother, who didn’t have much time left. Rob found a bench and made his FaceTime call. He lied to his mother, not telling her about Mabli’s accident at all. She asked why he wasn’t there, but it was impossible.

Two hours later, Withybush Hospital called again. His mother had died. He could not understand everything happening. Rob sat by Mabli, mourning his mother. Doctors said the Mabli they knew was gone. The machines were keeping her alive.

Two days after the accident, the other children arrived. Rob and Gwen told them the truth: Mabli was very ill and likely to die, and their grandmother had also died. They showed the kids a picture of Mabli first, which helped them prepare before seeing her actual condition. Doctors soon advised them to end life support. Gwen’s sister-in-law was in labor, so the parents asked the doctors to wait.

Past midnight, only Rob and Gwen remained. They held, talked to, kissed, and loved Mabli. At 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 25, Mabli passed away. Her parents visited her every day at a funeral home. Her funeral was the day before her grandmother’s. Rob played no part in his own mother’s service. “It’s surreal and too much,” Rob felt then.

Seventy-one-year-old Bridget Curtis was jailed. She got four years for Mabli’s death, caused by dangerous driving. It took nineteen months to reach the sentencing. Mabli’s parents thanked the police and judge. However, Curtis’ lack of accountability hurt them.

“Nine weeks after, Curtis postponed her interview,” Rob explained. Her solicitor’s unavailability delayed it. This was hard because it meant more waiting. Two weeks later, she read a prepared statement. She answered “no comment.” Those answers were shocking. They desired to know what really happened. “No comment” seemed disgusting to them.

“From this moment we were angry and in a nightmare,” Rob said. They waited longer to learn what would happen. Finally, in September 2024, Curtis pleaded guilty. It was just before Mabli’s second birthday. Her sentencing was set for November. The build-up to court was horrendous. You start to feel anxious and pressured. But you must stay strong for family.

On that day in November, they got another call. The sentencing was canceled. Bridget Curtis had a suspected heart attack. Things kept worsening drastically. They just wanted answers and to understand what would happen. Later, they learned she had a panic attack. Rob: “This ordeal is daily for our family.” They felt pain, anguish, and loss. “She got to have Christmas. Mabli only had one.”

Finally, on January 23, Curtis was jailed. Rob and Gwen cried in court as evidence was presented. The judge described the dashcam footage as indescribable. He called the driving reckless and dangerous.

The court heard Curtis stopped near the hospital entrance. Her daughter got out to retrieve her handbag from the rear, and unable to see it, she tapped the window to get Curtis’ attention. Curtis watched her while still in the driver’s seat with the engine running. The barrister explained Curtis didn’t turn off the engine.

Shortly before noon, the car moved forward. The dashcam showed the BMW moving across the grounds, going onto a curb and grassy area, and then straight into the family as they were gathered.

Rob and Gwen held each other as it ended. Relief? Closure? He isn’t sure. Each day brings new trauma for them now. Rob says, “It was avoidable.” She is responsible for my baby’s death. The defense wanted a suspended sentence. Anxiety filled the courtroom quickly. They are thankful for justice they finally got. It is a relief the court side is done now. Bridget Curtis is losing some of her life, but nothing truly changes for them, he said. We are still in hell every single day. “You can’t see what the future is.” They support their children.

Family, friends, and strangers have been supportive. They visit the crash site often. People leave fresh flowers and ornaments for Mabli.

Rob said this means so much to them. Together, the family raised over £14,000 for 2 Wish. This charity helps families who lost a child. They plan more fundraising events this year. The money aids more families affected by tragedy after loss. It happens all in Mabli Cariad Hall’s name.

Gwen said Mabli was the apple of everyone’s eye. She was the cherished baby and so loved. During the time of uncertainty, Mabli made them smile. She was an innocent baby who only knew how to love. She will always be a part of their lives. They think about her all the time still.