An 81-year-old woman was run over by a British police motorcycle as she picked up Sophia, the wife of Prince Edward, the younger brother of King Charles, in west London. Helen Holland, from Birchanger, Essex, “fought for her life for nearly two weeks, but irreversible brain damage eventually ended the battle,” the family said, as quoted by the BBC.
The Duchess of Edinburgh has already responded to the news through Buckingham Palace, saying Sophia was “deeply saddened” by the situation and sent her “deepest condolences” to the entire family. A In front of the BBC Police said the Duchess will personally contact the victim’s family and an investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Helen Holland was in London visiting her sister when she was overtaken by a Royal Escort motorbike at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road, Earls Court, on May 10. The family said the woman had slipped into a coma, and last Friday, police updated her condition to be critical. According to the victim’s son, Helen Holland suffered “multiple fractures and severe internal injuries.”
Meanwhile, Richard Smith, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Special Royal Protection Unit, said the “sad effect is being felt by colleagues across the Met”.
“Officers are aware that their actions, whether on duty or not, are subject to scrutiny and following our report on this incident, the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) Independent investigation – We continue to cooperate and support this investigation,” he said.
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