81-Year-Old Woman Dies After Being Hit by Police Escort for Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
Helen Holland, an 81-year-old woman from Essex, died after being hit by a police motorcycle escorting Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. Holland, who was in London visiting her sister, was hit at the struck at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl's Court on May 10, using what her son described as a "safe route of [a] pedestrian crossing."
"The Duchess of Edinburgh is deeply saddened to hear that Helen Holland has passed away," Buckingham Palace said. "Her Royal Highness’s deepest condolences and sympathies go to all of Ms Holland’s family."
Holland's son, Martin, told the BBC that she suffered "multiple broken bones and massive internal injuries," and had been in a coma. Martin added that his mother "for her life for nearly two weeks… but irreversible damage to her brain finally ended the battle today."
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident. "Officers know that their actions, both on and off duty, are open to scrutiny and following our referral of the incident, the IOPC launched an independent investigation - we continue to co-operate with and support that inquiry," Chief Supt Richard Smith, head of the Metropolitan Police's Royalty and Specialist Protection Unit, told their BBC.
Smith also said the "tragic outcome is being felt by colleagues across the Met" and "thoughts are very much with the woman's family and loved ones."
The regional director of the IOPC, Amanda Rowe, said last week that its inquiry is in early stages and that they "would still like to hear from anyone who saw or recorded any part of this incident who is yet to speak to us."
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