Helen Holland Death: Police Motorcyclist Kills Pensioner During Escort In London
A tragic incident occurred in west London when a police motorcyclist, escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh, hit and fatally injured 81-year-old Helen Holland. The accident happened on May 10, 2023, at a pedestrian crossing on West Cromwell Road. Holland was sent flying through the air and died two weeks later from her injuries.
Metropolitan Police officer Pc Christopher Harrison, who was riding the motorcycle, pleaded not guilty to causing death by careless driving. Court evidence revealed that Harrison was driving between 44mph and 58mph — well above the 30mph speed limit, which has since been reduced to 20mph. The prosecution argued that despite the privileges given to escort vehicles, Harrison had a duty to drive carefully.
Eyewitness Diana Cetara described the scene: “She was crossing, a motorbike hit her and then she flew away. I was a bit of a mess.” Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC emphasized that Harrison, while permitted to exceed speed limits and run red lights as part of a police escort, still owed a duty of care to pedestrians.
Harrison was part of a convoy escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh from the Foreign Office. The incident has raised questions about police driving protocols during high-profile escorts, especially in busy urban areas.
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