Woman, 26, dies after being hit by police car in Walthamstow, east London
Written by News on 24/01/2019
A 26-year-old Eritrean refugee has died after being hit by a police car in east London, Scotland Yard has said.
The marked vehicle was responding to an emergency call when it struck the woman in Walthamstow at around 11.45pm on Tuesday.
She had been living at the YMCA in Walthamstow for the last 18 months, according to YMCA St Paul’s Group.
A spokesman said: “The YMCA St Paul’s Group is shocked and saddened by this news and wishes to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the resident.
“YMCA Walthamstow is supporting its residents and staff with counselling. Flowers have been laid at the site of the incident on Forest Road today by residents and staff, led by the YMCA chaplaincy team.”
The car stopped following the collision and officers gave first aid to the victim before ambulance crews arrived.
However, the woman died at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said. A spokesperson initially said she was 21 years old.
Officers are trying to trace her next of kin who are believed to be outside of the UK.
The police car had been responding to reports of a man threatening members of the public in Walthamstow. The Met confirmed the man had left the premises before they arrived.
Gilbert James, 44, who lives on Forest Road where the incident happened said he “heard a loud bang and police sirens” and came outside to see “the person lying on the floor”.
He said the police car was “completely smashed”.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct and the Met’s directorate of professional standards have been informed about the incident.
Hours before the woman was hit, a police community support officer with West Midlands Police died in Bearwood, near Birmingham, after her car was hit by another car being followed by police.
Holly Burke, 28, who had been in the job for 14 months, died at the scene in Lordswood Road at about 11.30pm – about seven miles away from where officers first spotted the speeding car in Erdington, Birmingham.
Chief Superintendent Kenny Bell described her as “greatly valued” and said the force’s “thoughts and condolences” are with her mum and dad, family, friends and colleagues.
“Holly has been taken from us too soon and as a police family we are feeling this,” he added.
(c) Sky News 2019: Woman, 26, dies after being hit by police car in Walthamstow, east London
