Tragedy Strikes: Police Officer Killed in Inner-Sydney Car Crash
A police officer has died in a car crash in inner Sydney after a marked vehicle crashed into a tree at Redfern. The female constable in the passenger seat died instantly, while the male driver was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
A police officer has died after a marked vehicle she was travelling in crashed into a tree in inner Sydney.
The police vehicle was travelling north along Gibbons Street in Redfern under lights and sirens to an incident when it crashed at about 1:30am on Friday.
NSW Police said the female constable in the passenger seat died instantly. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a male constable at the scene, who police said was the driver of the police vehicle. He was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.
Local resident Stuart said he heard the crash from his bed. "We just heard a very, very large crunching, banging sound, almost sort of like gun shots, but it was just once," he said. "We knew there was something straight away and we looked out, we couldn't see very much but we could see the police lights straight away."
The Police Association of NSW (PANSW) said officers across the state were shocked by the sudden death of their colleague and concerned for the male constable taken to hospital. "PANSW field organisers have been at the scene, the police station and the hospital since shortly after the crash," it said in a post on social media. "They are supporting members and families and helping coordinate welfare services."
NSW Premier Chris Minns said his thoughts were with the officer's family, friends and colleagues. "Every day our police officers put themselves in harm's way to keep the rest of us safe, and today the entire NSW Police family will be grieving," he said in a statement.
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said she was heartbroken by the news. "She was out working while most of us were asleep, protecting the community," she said.
Regent Street remains closed in both directions at Redfern between Lawson Street and Cleveland Street. Several bus routes have also been diverted from the area. Transport Management Centre said police investigations are expected to take some time, asking motorists to consider using alternative routes. Police have established a crime scene and declared the crash a critical incident. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission said it had been notified and was independently monitoring the police investigation.