UK
Duchess of Edinburgh issues statement after death of woman hit by police motorcycle escorting royal
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, is “deeply saddened” following the death of an elderly woman who was hit by a police motorcycle escorting the royal, Buckingham Palace has said.
Helen Holland, 81, had been in hospital in a critical condition since she was hit on the afternoon of 10 May in west London.
Buckingham Palace said: “The Duchess of Edinburgh is deeply saddened to hear that Helen Holland has passed away.
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, conveyed her ‘deepest condolences’
“Her Royal Highness’s deepest condolences and sympathies go to all of Ms Holland’s family.”
It is understood the duchess – the wife of Prince Edward and the King’s sister-in-law – will be in touch privately with Ms Holland’s family.
They have since said they are “utterly devastated” to “lose her in such tragic circumstances”.
“We feel upset and angry that her life was cut short and we are keen to hear more details from the IOPC [Independent Office for Police Conduct] as soon as possible to help us understand the truth of how this happened,” they said.
“Helen will be sorely missed by all that knew her and the hole she has left in our hearts will never be filled.”
Helen Holland was a mother of four, grandmother of 10, and great-grandmother of seven
In comments reported by the BBC, Ms Holland’s son Martin said she died after suffering “multiple broken bones and massive internal injuries”.
He said she fought “for her life for nearly two weeks… but irreversible damage to her brain finally ended the battle today”.
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She had been using the “safe route of [a] pedestrian crossing” when she was struck by the motorcycle, he added.
The incident is being investigated by the IOPC.
Sophie had said after the crash that her “thoughts and prayers” were with Ms Holland, as her family told Sky News she was a “beautiful, loving, kind and caring lady who would always put anyone before herself”.
They said the mother of four, grandmother of 10, and great-grandmother of seven was a “well-respected and popular member of the community”.
She was described as “sprightly for her age and nothing stopped her living life to the full, spending precious time with her family, muddy walks with the dogs and lunches with friends is what she enjoyed most”.