Angry son of gran who died after being hit by police bike blasts Met

‘Police killed my mum’: Furious son of great-grandmother, 81, who died after she was hit by Duchess of Edinburgh’s escort while crossing the road claims the Met have not apologised two weeks on from horror crash

• Motorbike collided with Helen Holland, 81, from Essex, in west London on May 10

The grieving son of a great-grandmother who died after she was struck by a motorcycle escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh today accused police of ‘killing my mum’.

Heartbroken Martin Holland said his mother Helen, 81, had bravely fought for her life for two weeks but succumbed to irreversible brain damage on Tuesday.

Mrs Holland was using a pedestrian crossing in Earl’s Court, west London, on May 10 when she was hit by the police motorbike.

The Duchess, 58, was said to be ‘deeply saddened’ yesterday by the news of the death.

Furious Mr Holland, 57, said in a statement: ‘Police killed my mum.’

Pointing out she had been using ‘the safe route of a pedestrian crossing’, he added: ‘We are very angry that someone so pure and kind was caught up in such a violent and unescapable situation.

‘The police have not issued any comment or apology and we assume that the killer is still on the loose… riding a police motorcycle and we fear now for the safety of others.

Helen Holland (pictured), who was hit by a police motorcycle escorting Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, died yesterday after fighting for her life for two weeks

The Duchess of Edinburgh is ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of a great-grandmother 

Now Ms Holland’s son Martin has lashed out at the Met Police and claimed the force has not apologised after one of its riders allegedly hit the pensioner, causing fatal injuries (pictured is the scene of the collision on May 10)

‘They must be answerable to the law. Ordinary people should not be expendable to protect the chosen few.

‘They need to change they way they go about these escorting duties.

‘Locals dislike the way they whistle and shout out for people to get out the way and of course this warning can’t be heard at high speed anyway.’

Mrs Holland’s injuries included ‘multiple broken bones and massive internal injuries’, according to her family.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘Her Royal Highness’s deepest condolences and sympathies go to all of Ms Holland’s family.’

It is understood Sophie, who was leaving a garden party at Buckingham Palace when the accident happened days after the Coronation, will be in touch privately with the family.

Mrs Holland, of Birchanger, Essex, had been in London visiting her older sister when she was hit by the motorbike and thrown 40ft along the busy road.

Witnesses said she had stepped into the street to peer around black screens shielding a junction box that had been put up for the Coronation.

The crash occurred on a busy junction of Cromwell Road and Nevern Road on the A4 in Earl’s Court, west London, a just a few minutes’ drive from Kensington Palace

Locals claimed that black screens placed around a square brick electricity unit (pictured) close to the crossing, as part of attempts to ‘decorate’ the area for the Coronation, meant pedestrians were unable to see oncoming traffic

One described the problems with visibility caused by the screens as ‘an accident waiting to happen’.

A cordon was placed around the accident scene after the crash on the dual carriageway. Two motorbikes could be seen inside it, including one with the King’s cypher.

Mrs Holland, a mother-of-four, grandmother-of-ten and great-grandmother of seven, was taken to an intensive care unit where her family said she was in a coma.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the incident and has appealed for witnesses and any footage, including CCTV.

Chief Superintendent Richard Smith, the head of Royalty and Specialist Protection at the Metropolitan Police, said: ‘On Tuesday, we received the sad news that a woman who was injured in a collision with a police motorcycle had died in hospital.

Ms Holland was ‘flung 40ft’ by the officer’s motorbike, which was escorting Sophie through West London on May 10

‘Police officers come to work to serve the public and keep people safe and this tragic outcome is being felt by colleagues across the Met. Our thoughts are very much with the woman’s family and loved ones at this sad time.

‘Officers know their actions, both on and off duty, are open to scrutiny and, following our referral of the incident, the IOPC launched an independent investigation. We continue to co-operate with and support that enquiry.’

IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said last week: ‘We have been in touch with the family to explain our role and will keep them regularly updated as the investigation progresses.

‘While some witnesses to the collision have been identified, it’s important that, as part of our enquiries, we speak with anyone who has witnessed or recorded any part of this incident to help us establish the full circumstances.’

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