23 May 2023 , 23:38
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An elderly woman who was left critically injured after a crash with police escorting Sophie Wessex has died, according to her family.
Helen Holland was “thrown 40 feet across the road” after being struck by a motorbike, an eyewitness claimed at the time.
The 81-year-old was hit at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl's Court, west London, earlier this month.
Announcing her death, her son Martin told the BBC that she fought "for her life for nearly two weeks... but irreversible damage to her brain finally ended the battle".
She sustained "multiple broken bones and massive internal injuries" after being hit while using the "safe route of [a] pedestrian crossing", he added.
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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (Getty Images)The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have been investigating the incident and said on May 19 they were appealing for witnesses and had taken CCTV from nearby properties for examination.
IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said on May 19: "Our thoughts are with the woman, who has sustained life-threatening injuries, and her family.
"We have been in touch with them to explain our role and will keep them regularly updated as the investigation progresses."
Buckingham Palace issued a statement after the crash saying the Duchess was "grateful for the swift response of emergency services and will keep abreast of developments".
It went on: "Further comment at this time would not be appropriate while the incident is being investigated.
The crash happened just before 3.30pm at the junction of Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in Earl's Court, west London (Matt Capon)"The Duchess' heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family."
Police said at the time there had been no other injuries and enquiries into the crash were ongoing.
A spokesperson said: “A woman has been injured after being involved in a collision with a police motorcycle in west London.
"At approximately 15:21hrs on Wednesday, 10 May a police motorcycle on escort duties was involved in a collision with a member of the public on West Cromwell Road, Earls Court, SW5.
"Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance attended and a woman, aged in her 80s, was taken to hospital. She remains there in a critical condition. Her family have been informed.
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"There are no reports of any other injuries."