David Clark: Australian man hit by police vehicle in London dies
An Australian man has died after he was hit by a police vehicle responding to an emergency call as he crossed a London street.
David Clark, 35, died following an incident in Southwark on January 7, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Thursday.
Mr Clark - who was an Australian national who lived in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire - was crossing the road near the junction of Borough High Street and Trinity Street when he was in collision with one of two police vehicles responding to an emergency, the watchdog said.
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Sirens were activated and both police vehicles had their emergency lights on, he said.
He said: “As the driver of the first police vehicle passed through the junction at Great Suffolk Street and Trinity Street, they were involved in a collision on the road with Mr Clark, who appeared to be crossing the road.
“The drivers of both police vehicles stopped at the scene and first aid was immediately provided to Mr Clark.
“Tragically, he was declared deceased at the scene.”
The IOPC said a post-mortem examination has been carried out and the watchdog is waiting for a date for an inquest to be opened.
It said an investigation was begun on the same morning as the collision, and CCTV and police body-worn video footage have already been reviewed, along with accounts from the officers involved.
Further CCTV inquiries near the scene are continuing this week.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “Our deepest sympathies are with Mr Clark’s family and friends both in the UK and in Australia, and everyone affected by his death.
“We have met with his family to advise them of our investigation and they will be provided with regular updates. They have requested privacy at this difficult time.
“Given a member of the public has died in an incident involving police, it’s important that an independent investigation is carried out to establish the full circumstances.
“Our investigation is in its early stages and the officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses.”
