Duchess of Edinburgh 'deeply saddened' as woman hit by her motorcycle escort dies

Helen Holland, 81, from Birchanger in Essex, died after being hit by the Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie Wessex's police motorcycle escort. Credit: Family handout
81-year-old Helen Holland, who has died, had been in a coma for nearly two weeks, her son had said. Credit: Family handout

The Duchess of Edinburgh is "deeply saddened" after an 81-year-old woman hit by her motorcycle escort has died, Buckingham Palace has said.

Great-grandmother Helen Holland, from Birchanger in Essex, was hit by a police motorcycle, which was part of the duchess Sophie's escort, in London on the afternoon of 10 May.

It happened on West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl’s Court.

Her son Martin Holland was quoted in the BBC saying she died after sustaining “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”.

He said she was using the “safe route of a pedestrian crossing” when she was hit by the motorcycle.

The Duchess of Edinburgh Credit: Yui Mok/PA

Buckingham Palace said the duchess, Sophie, was "deeply saddened" by the news.

The spokesperson said: "Her Royal Highness's deepest condolences and sympathies go to all of Ms Holland's family."

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have been investigating the incident and said on 19 May they were appealing for witnesses and had taken CCTV from nearby properties.

The IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said on 19 May: “Our thoughts are with the woman, who has sustained life-threatening injuries, and her family.

“We have been in touch with them to explain our role and will keep them regularly updated as the investigation progresses.”

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