UPDATE: Woman critical after being hit by police ‘ROYAL ESCORT’ motorcycle in Earls Court

An elderly woman was struck by a police outrider while escorting the duchess of Edinburgh, earlier this week.

UPDATE: Saturday, May 13 at 3:55 pm

The 81-year-old woman has been identified as Helen Holland, from Birchanger, Essex, the accident occurred at a notorious road black spot in Earl’s Court on Wednesday around 3.30 pm according to Metro.

The victim was attended to by emergency teams before being transferred to hospital where she remains in a coma.

Speaking to the BBC, close relatives of Ms Holland said they were ‘shocked and sickened at her extensive injuries.’

They added, ‘she is being well cared for by the NHS who we must thank deeply for their help in keeping her alive.’ It was also revealed that they want the matter to be fully investigated.

Ms Holland had been visiting her sister when the accident happened on the corner of Cromwell Road and Warwick Road.

Buckingham Palace released a statement from the duchess the day after the accident: ‘The duchess’s heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family.

‘She is grateful for the swift response by the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments. Further comment at this time would not be appropriate while the incident is being investigated.’

The incident happened on a notorious stretch of road with one resident who lives near where the accident took place commenting ‘She’s lucky to be alive at all. The road is a nightmare. We’ve warned the council about it. There have been three people killed here.’

UPDATE: Thursday, May 11 at 2:15 am

Police have confirmed that yesterday a woman in her 80s was hit by a police outrider while on royal escort duty.

The police motorcycle was part of an escort for Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in west London, the accident happened at around 3.21 pm, at the junction of Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl’s Court. 

Emergency services rallied to the scene including paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance and the injured woman was rushed to hospital.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said the Duchess of Edinburgh’s ‘thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family’.

Thursday, May 11 at 00:33 am

An elderly woman is tonight fighting for her life after being struck by a police motorcycle.

On Wednesday, May 10, a woman believed to be in her 80s lies critical in hospital after a police motorcycle ‘on escort duties’ ran into her in Earl’s Court, West London this afternoon, writes The Sun.

The scene of the accident was cordoned off. Two motorcycles were visible with one bearing King Charles’ cypher.

The Metropolitan Police‘s Special Escort Group is used for members of the Royal Family, VIPs, certain members of the Government, visiting dignitaries, and heads of state.

The service is also called upon to offer armed protection for valuable, hazardous and protected loads, of which high-risk prisoners are also included.

A spokesperson for the MET police said, ‘a woman has been injured after being involved in a collision with a police motorcycle in west London.

‘At approximately 15:21hrs on Wednesday, [May 10] a police motorcycle on escort duties was involved in a collision with a member of the public on the junction of Cromwell Road and Warwick Road, SW5.

‘Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended and a woman, aged in her 80s, has been taken to hospital.

‘She remains there in a critical condition. Her family have been informed.

‘There are no reports of any other injuries. Enquiries into the circumstances of the collision are ongoing. Road closures remain in place while the scene is dealt with. As is routine, the Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed.’

It is unclear at the moment which particular duty the escort was involved with. The King and Queen were reported to be in Sandringham.