the duchess of Edinburgh is ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of a great-grandmother fatally struck by a motorbike that was part of the royal’s police escort.
Helen Holland, 81, of Birchanger, Essex, died two weeks after the vehicle struck her at around 3:21 p.m. at the junction of Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl’s Court, in the west London10th May.
Ms Holland’s son, Martin, told the BBC that she died after suffering “multiple broken bones and massive internal injuries”, adding that she had used the “safe route” by crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing. next to the traffic lights.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said today: “The Duchess of Edinburgh is deeply saddened to learn that Helen Holland has passed away.
“Her Royal Highness’s deepest condolences and condolences go out to all of Mrs. Holland’s family.”
It is understood that Sophie will contact Ms Holland’s relatives privately.
It comes after friends and loved ones yesterday paid tribute to the “kind and joyful spirit” who was “carried away prematurely” as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) continues an independent investigation into the crash.
The Duchess of Edinburgh is “deeply saddened” by the death of a great-grandmother who was fatally struck by a motorcycle as part of the royal’s police escort after the King’s coronation (Pictured: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh attends a garden party at Buckingham Palace in London on May 9 as part of the Coronation celebrations)
Helen Holland (pictured), 81, of Essex, who was struck by a police motorcycle escorting Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, died yesterday after fighting for her life for two weeks.
The accident happened at a busy junction of Cromwell Road and Nevern Road on the A4 in Earl’s Court, west London, just a few minutes’ drive from Kensington Palace.
Speaking yesterday, Mrs. Holland’s family told the BBC: ‘She fought for her life for almost two weeks… but the irreversible damage to her brain finally ended the battle today.’
Ms. Holland’s grandson, Joe Strutter Holland, wrote on Facebook about his grandmother’s death.
He said: ‘Rest in peace Nanny (Helen) Holland. One of the kindest and most joyful souls I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Taken ahead of time.
He added that he was grateful that his son and Mrs. Holland met, continuing: “I’ll make sure you know who you are, until we meet again.”
After the accident, her family previously said that the great-grandmother was in a coma, and police confirmed that she remained in critical condition on May 19.
An eyewitness said that Ms Holland was “thrown 40 feet across the road” after being struck by a motorcycle.
Family members described Mrs Holland, who was in London visiting her sister at the time of the accident, as a “beautiful, loving, kind and caring woman who always put anyone before herself”, in a statement shared with sky news after the accident
At the time, Ms Holland’s family was said to be “deeply saddened and shocked” by the news that she had been seriously injured in the collision.
They stated at the time: “Helen may be 81 but she is vivacious for her age and nothing stopped her life to the fullest, spending precious time with her family, muddy walks with the dogs and lunches with friends is what she enjoyed.” most.’
Ms Holland, a mother of four, grandmother of ten and great-grandmother of seven, was also described as a “highly respected and popular” member of the community.
Her family added: ‘The outpouring of love and support the family has received from those who know them is greatly appreciated.
“We are all praying for a miracle and we ask that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers as well.”
Buckingham Palace issued a statement on May 11 saying the Duchess of Edinburgh was “grateful for the quick response from the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments.”
They added that the Duchess’s “sincere thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family” and said it would not be appropriate to comment further while the investigation is ongoing.
Locals claimed that black screens placed around a square brick electricity unit (pictured) near the junction, as part of attempts to ‘decorate’ the area for Coronation, meant pedestrians could not see traffic that was approaching
Ms Holland was “thrown 40 feet” by the officer’s motorcycle, which was escorting Sophie through west London on May 10.
Roads were closed on West Cromwell Road, near Earl’s Court, in west London. One of the screens used to ‘decorate’ the area can be seen here on the road, as well as a SEG (Special Escort Group) police bike.
Eyewitness Martin Hennessy, 62, claimed that black screens placed around a square brick electrical unit near the crossing, as part of attempts to “decorate” the area for Coronation, meant pedestrians could not see oncoming traffic.
He told MailOnline after the accident: ‘This was an accident waiting to happen. The screens had been put up for the coronation but that meant you had to go out onto the road a bit to see the traffic.
“I was there shortly after it happened and it was carnage. The poor woman was thrown about 40 feet along the road and paramedics were attending to her.
“She peeked out a bit to look around the screens and got hit.”
He added: “There have been a lot of near misses there recently because of those screens, but crossing that road is dangerous at best because it’s so busy.”
Police said the IPOC investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In a statement, Chief Superintendent Richard Smith, head of Royalty and Specialized Protection, said: “On Tuesday we received the sad news that a woman who was injured in a collision with a police motorcycle on May 10, in the West London, had died in hospital.
“Police officers come to work to serve the public and keep people safe, and this tragic outcome is felt by colleagues across the Met. Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones at this sad time.
“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 cooperate with and support that investigation.”