Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh has publicly expressed her unhappiness after listening to in regards to the dying of Helen Holland. The 81-year-old has died after being struck down by the Met Police bike that was escorting Sophie in West London on Might 10. A press release launched on Wednesday learn: “The Duchess of Edinburgh is deeply saddened to listen to that Helen Holland has handed away. Her Royal Highness’s deepest condolences and sympathies go to all of Ms Holland’s household.”
Helen Holland, 81, was struck in Earl’s Court docket on the afternoon of Might 10. She had been visiting her older sister on the time of the crash.
Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance arrived on the scene, with the girl being taken to hospital. No different accidents have been reported.
The Metropolitan Police mentioned that at round 3.21pm a police bike collided with a pedestrian on the junction of Cromwell Street and Warwick Street, SW5, whereas on escort duties.
An investigation into the crash by the police watchdog is ongoing.
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In feedback to the BBC, Ms Holland’s son, Martin, mentioned she died after sustaining “a number of damaged bones and large inside accidents”.
He mentioned she fought “for her life for almost two weeks… however irreversible injury to her mind lastly ended the battle at this time”.
Martin added that she was utilizing the “protected route of [a] pedestrian crossing” when she was struck by the bike.
The Unbiased Workplace for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been investigating the incident and mentioned on Might 19 they have been interesting for witnesses and had taken CCTV from close by properties for examination.
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Amanda Rowe, the IOPC regional director, mentioned on Might 19: “Our ideas are with the girl, who has sustained life-threatening accidents, and her household. Now we have been in contact with them to clarify our function and can preserve them recurrently up to date because the investigation progresses.”
Chief superintendent Richard Smith, who’s the top of the Met Police’s Royalty and Specialist Safety unit, mentioned the “tragic final result is being felt by colleagues throughout the Met”. He added that their “ideas are very a lot with the girl’s household and family members at this unhappy time.”
Smith continued: “Officers know that their actions, each on and off obligation, are open to scrutiny and following our referral of the incident, the IOPC launched an unbiased investigation – we proceed to co-operate with and assist that enquiry.”
IOPC have beforehand acknowledged that, as a part of its investigation into the incident, police physique digicam footage and CCTV foorage from close by properties could be examined.
It was additionally confirmed that any officers who have been current on the incident would even be interviewed, in addition to a request for any witness to come back ahead to talk out.
The physique additionally acknowledged it had been in contact with Ms Holland’s household. They confirmed that they defined “our function and can preserve them [Ms Holland’s family] recurrently up to date because the investigation progresses”.
A earlier assertion from Buckingham Palace mentioned: “The Duchess’s heartfelt ideas and prayers are with the injured woman and her household. She is grateful for the swift response by the emergency providers and can preserve abreast of developments.”
On Tuesday, the Duchess of Edinburgh turned the primary UK royal to go to Baghdad.
The go to comes as a part of her work to assist survivors of sexual violence in battle, with the Duchess current to study of the challenges ladies and women face.
