A New Zealand police officer has been killed and another seriously injured while on duty after a driver allegedly ran over them and crashed into their police car following New Year’s celebrations.
Senior Sergeants Lyn Fleming, 62, and Adam Ramsay were carrying out foot patrols in a car park in Nelson, in the south of the country, in the early hours of Wednesday when a vehicle allegedly struck officers “at high speed”.
Senior Sergeant Fleming later died in hospital surrounded by her family. His seriously injured colleague remains in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
A third unidentified officer and two members of the public were also injured.
Police fired a Taser and arrested a 32-year-old man at the scene.
As of Wednesday, the most recent death of a New Zealand police officer while on duty occurred in 2020, when a fleeing driver shot an officer.
The death of Sergeant Major Fleming caused great pain on the part of the authorities.
‘A highly respected police officer with 38 years of frontline service. “She was also a daughter, mother, wife and a valued member of the wider Nelson community,” Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told reporters.
Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was on foot patrol when the tragedy occurred.
“Lyn was a beautiful soul and her death will be felt throughout the Nelson community and our police family.”
The death of the sergeant major has shaken the South Island town.
Commissioner Chambers laid flowers outside Albion Square Police Station alongside Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Nelson Mayor Nick Smith.
“The magnitude of this tragedy is that it is the first in Nelson’s history in which a police officer has died in the course of their duties, as well as the first in New Zealand in which a female officer has died,” Cr Smith said. .
Minister Mitchell said the officers were “the target of what I (allegedly) consider a very cowardly attack.”
“There was, at this stage, no indication that was about to happen,” Commissioner Chamber added.
‘Lyn and Adam, like many of our officers, were working on New Year’s Eve to keep people safe on a night meant for celebration.
Heartbroken colleagues remembered the sergeant major as “an incredible, kind-hearted police officer.”
‘I could always ask you for help or advice. It was an honor to serve with you,’ said one.
“I don’t feel like starting my shift today, but we honor you and your legacy by staying strong and carrying on.”
The car park where Senior Sergeant Fleming and a colleague were allegedly hit by a car remained a crime scene on Wednesday.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also expressed his condolences.
“New Zealand Police do an incredible job keeping us safe and it is heartbreaking for an officer to lose their life in the line of duty,” he said.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Lyn’s loved ones and colleagues and look forward to the recovery of those injured.”
Police allege the vehicle allegedly struck officers while they were patrolling a car park in central Nelson after the city’s New Year’s celebrations ended.
A witness stated that the car spun before allegedly hitting the police vehicle.
“(They) went around the police car (with their car), a female officer stepped aside, then he turned around again and went straight face to face with (the police car),” he told New Zealand’s 1News on Six.
“It was a tremendous explosion.”
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said Sergeant Fleming was a “beautiful soul”
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers were among those who laid flowers following the death of Senior Sergeant Fleming.
Sergeant Major Fleming was also an excellent netball coach.
“We are absolutely devastated to learn of the passing of our Senior A netball coach,” a statement from Nelson College for Girls read.
‘There are no words to describe his impact on our athletes, coaches and staff. We love you.’
A candlelight vigil will be held for seniors in Nelson this Friday night.
The man accused of the incident remains in custody and will appear in court on Friday.