The family of Helen Holland, an 81-year-old grandmother killed by a police outrider escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh, have announced plans to sue the Metropolitan Police after the officer was acquitted of causing death by careless driving.
Helen Holland died two weeks after being struck by PC Christopher Harrison at a pedestrian crossing in West Cromwell Road, west London, on 10 May 2023. The officer, aged 68, was travelling between 44mph and 58mph in a 30mph zone. A jury at the Old Bailey found him not guilty after nearly two and a half hours of deliberation.
Following the verdict, one of Ms Holland's ten grandchildren shouted from the public gallery: “You ruined our family with no consequences.” Her son Martin, 59, said the family is suing not for compensation but to acknowledge that his mother “did nothing wrong”. The green man was illuminated when she was struck while crossing the road to visit her sister.
PC Harrison, who had 21 years of experience in the specialist escort group and led the outriders at Queen Elizabeth's funeral, told the court the collision was a “tragic accident” over which he had “no control”. He admitted he forgot to switch on his body-worn camera and did not use his whistle but insisted he was not complacent.
Ms Holland's sister, Dorothy Phillips, 91, who attended every day of the trial, said she is now too scared to cross the road. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found sufficient evidence that PC Harrison may have breached police standards, and he still faces possible disciplinary proceedings. Commander Adam Slonecki said the Met are “deeply sorry” and have since fitted escort motorcycles with bullhorns to improve public safety.
