Nottinghamshire Police officer investigated after man, 80, killed by police van
A police officer is being investigated after an 80-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a police van on a pedestrian crossing.
Trevor Bartlett, well known as a photographer for newspaper the Nottingham Post, died in the collision on the A52 in Nottingham on 19 December last year.
The 80-year-old had been walking home from his local pub, the Nurseryman, and was using the pedestrian crossing on the A52 Derby Road, in the Beeston area, when the incident happened.
Watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), said the police constable who was driving the van is under investigation for possible driving offences.
These are causing death by dangerous driving or causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.
The officer is also being investigated for potential gross misconduct.
At the time of the incident, the police van was travelling in a bus lane with blue lights and sirens activated.
The coroner was informed, and a post-mortem examination was held on Friday, December 22.IOPC Regional Director for the West Midlands, Derrick Campbell, said: “We have been in contact with Mr Bartlett’s family to express our sympathy for their tragic loss, and to explain how our investigation will be conducted.“Following the conclusion of our investigation, we will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and we will also determine whether disciplinary proceedings should follow.”
Mr Bartlett began working at the Nottingham Evening Post as a 15-year-old copy boy, leaving school on a Friday and starting at the paper on the Monday. He went on to become the youngest press photographer in the Midlands at the age of 17.He worked at the paper for 45 years picturing thousands of locals, royalty, politicians, pop stars and sports stars - becoming firm friends with former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough.Trevor, who retired at the age of 62, had been to his local, the Nurseryman, for a couple of drinks, and was on his way home for his dinner when the accident happened.
When he didn't return home at the usual time, his wife of 58 years, Sandra, thought he'd got chatting to a friend. She texted and rang his mobile but there was no answer.
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