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Royal Escort Crash: Family Fights For Accountability
30 Nov
Summary
- 81-year-old Helen Holland fatally struck by royal outrider escorting Duchess.
- Jury acquits PC Christopher Harrison of causing death by careless driving.
- Family alleges slow investigation and lack of accountability by authorities.
An 81-year-old great-grandmother, Helen Holland, was tragically killed two years ago in Earl's Court, west London, when struck by a police motorbike escorting Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Despite the officer, PC Christopher Harrison, being acquitted of causing death by careless driving, her family asserts that no one has been held truly accountable for her death.
The family has detailed a two-year "battle against the establishment," alleging delays and mishnandling by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). They cite issues with witness appeals, evidence gathering, and crucially, the unavailability of bodycam footage from the escorting officer, with a second officer's camera reportedly being faulty.
PC Harrison was found not guilty by a jury, with his defense suggesting Helen Holland may have been running or appeared suddenly. However, the family and eyewitnesses maintain she was walking slowly. The family is pursuing legal action against the Met Police, seeking recognition that Helen did nothing wrong and demanding accountability for the incident.
