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Policewoman killed in crash involving stolen vehicle | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A policewoman has died in a crash involving a suspected stolen car in Londonderry. | A policewoman has died in a crash involving a suspected stolen car in Londonderry. |
The 27-year-old was on a routine patrol, in an unmarked police car, when the collision happened on the Limavady Road at 03:40 GMT on Saturday. | The 27-year-old was on a routine patrol, in an unmarked police car, when the collision happened on the Limavady Road at 03:40 GMT on Saturday. |
Two other police officers were hurt but not seriously injured. | |
It is believed the stolen car may have gone through a red light at a junction. Two men fled from the scene towards Ebrington. | It is believed the stolen car may have gone through a red light at a junction. Two men fled from the scene towards Ebrington. |
The road is closed at the junctions with Glendermott Road and Clooney Terrace. | The road is closed at the junctions with Glendermott Road and Clooney Terrace. |
The Police Ombudsman has been informed. | The Police Ombudsman has been informed. |
'Personal tragedy' | |
The PSNI Chief Constable, Matt Baggott, paid tribute to the officer and vowed to catch those responsible. | |
"It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of our colleague. This is a personal tragedy for her family and also for the whole Police Service," he said in a statement. | |
"She was out on duty, working to keep people safe, when she died. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time." | |
Mr Baggott added: "I and my colleagues will ensure that no stone remains unturned as we work to bring to justice those who perpetrated this crime". | |
Northern Ireland's Justice Minister David Ford said his thoughts and prayers were with the woman's family. | Northern Ireland's Justice Minister David Ford said his thoughts and prayers were with the woman's family. |
'Shocked' | |
"I also send my best wishes to the two officers injured in this incident for a speedy and full recovery," he said. | "I also send my best wishes to the two officers injured in this incident for a speedy and full recovery," he said. |
"It is hard to imagine how they, and indeed the wider PSNI family, are feeling." | "It is hard to imagine how they, and indeed the wider PSNI family, are feeling." |
Chairman of Northern Ireland's Policing Board, Brian Rea, said he was shocked by the incident. | |
"To lose a colleague, out on patrol protecting the community, is a terrible blow to the PSNI," he said. | "To lose a colleague, out on patrol protecting the community, is a terrible blow to the PSNI," he said. |
SDLP MP Mark Durkan said the policewoman had been "tragically killed in the line of duty whilst doing her job to protect the community". | SDLP MP Mark Durkan said the policewoman had been "tragically killed in the line of duty whilst doing her job to protect the community". |
'Dangers' | |
"The accident appears to involve a stolen car. The shock felt across the community will be matched with disgust that such criminal activity has led to this tragic death, and I call on those responsible, or anyone who has any information, to come forward to the PSNI," Mr Durkan said. | |
Ulster Unionist Ross Hussey said: "This young woman's death in the line of duty serves to re-emphasise the dangers faced by the officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on a daily basis, as they put themselves in harm's way to protect the whole community." | Ulster Unionist Ross Hussey said: "This young woman's death in the line of duty serves to re-emphasise the dangers faced by the officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on a daily basis, as they put themselves in harm's way to protect the whole community." |
The Republic of Ireland's most senior police officer, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan, also expressed his condolences. | |
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with our friends in Northern Ireland as they mourn the loss of their colleague," he said. | |
"We also wish a speedy recovery to the officers injured in the incident." | |
The police are appealing for witnesses to contact them. |