Bristol police car crashes into Clio during 999 call
A police car on its way to an emergency call in Bristol smashed into a Renault Clio at a crossroads.
The woman driver of the Clio suffered a suspected head injury and she and her passenger, a man, were trapped in the car.
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A door had to be removed to free them.
The accident happened at noon yesterday at the intersection of Briscoes Avenue and Mowcroft Road, Hartcliffe.
A police spokesman said two officers in a marked Ford Focus estate were responding to a 999 call to a domestic incident in Briscoes Avenue.
The police car, which had been travelling along Briscoes Avenue, hit the green Clio knocking it into the front garden of a house in Mowcroft Road.
Owner of the house Pearl Barnes, 82, who was on her way home at the time with her husband, said: "I could see the lights flashing. We were not far behind and we came up the road just as it happened. We could see the police car up by our house.
"A green car was in our garden. It had come through the fence.
"The entire front of the police car was badly damaged."
The woman driver was unconscious when paramedics arrived but came round shortly afterwards.
She was removed from the car on a spinal board and taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary by ambulance.
The two police officers were treated for minor injuries.
An investigation has begun into the accident and it will also be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as a matter of course.
35 Comments
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by Fireman, Bristol
Sunday, October 25 2009, 10:33AM
“I love these forums, so many 'experts', so VERY little knowledge.”
by chris, hartcliffe
Friday, October 23 2009, 9:43PM
“i dont know about u lot but i seen the facts and it was the police cars fault for asuming the road was clear two cars responded to the domestic the first police car stoped at the juction and had the chance to cross as for the second police car just assumed it was clear and bang as for the women and bloke in clio it would of been impossiple for them to see the police car as for the sirens there were none in my opinion the women and bloke should get compo and the police should go take some more so say training scum”
by Blue light response driver, Emergency Services, Bristol.
Friday, October 23 2009, 5:48PM
“Well done 'Bristol resident'!
Take note on how it's done, 'experts'.”
by Blue light response driver, Emergency Services, Bristol
Friday, October 23 2009, 5:45PM
“"i take it the showed you how to use the lights and sirens???"
Have you ever heard the term 'silent approach? No, didn't think so. I LOVE these forums. So much opinion, so LITTLE knowledge. I refer you to my post, re-printed below.”
by Bristol resident, Bristol
Friday, October 23 2009, 4:40PM
“Mmm...dreadful that it happened and has anyone thought how the police officers must be feeling? whoevers fault it was! i had an experience the other week where I was waiting at some traffic lights the other day and could hear sirens and said to my boyfriend who was driving to watch out. The first fire engine went through while we were still waiting on a red light and we could hear another.... which we could see it coming from the right (by now the lights had gone green) so we continued to wait till it went though...we were then getting beeped at and hand gestures to move on!!! i turned round and pointed at the fire engines!! it really fustrated me!! i was being sensible!! didnt want to argue with a fire engine!!”
by ???, hartcliffe
Friday, October 23 2009, 3:33PM
“the police do drive very fast i do have to say i have nearly been knocked down by a police car in the past that had NO sirens on driving around a corner as i was crossing the road and had to jump out the way ok the police do have to get somewhere quick fair enough but as you all say you trained and taught to very high standards i take it the showed you how to use the lights and sirens???
i have been pulled over by a police car because one light was dull and nearly out but the police car that pulled me over had one headlight completely out how can they get away with this we know your the police we can see the badge and the car your driving but you don't have to crash into somebody to make sure we knoe who you r!!!
i was driving down glouscester rd last night a police car came speeding down so i pulled over the police car got infront a turn't them off ok maybe you don't have to wait in traffic so why the hell did you not put your blue lights on when you were waiting at the traffic lights???
bristol drivers are not bad drivers at all for the people that think this we paid road tax so sort the roads out!!! also we pay council tax to the police and emergency services for there help who's going to pay for the damage for this poor womans car cause it seems like the police are not going to take them blame where as the police car has to be fixed or don't worry they will get a new one!!!”
by Tyler, Withywood..
Friday, October 23 2009, 10:21AM
“Why does this accident have to be someones fault aferall accicents do happen!! The Emergency services have a very hard job to do and are trained to a high standard unfortunatly this ACCIDENT has happened how many crashes do you hear of involving emergency service vehicles very little!”
by Blue light response driver, Emergency Services, Bristol.
Friday, October 23 2009, 7:36AM
“"If you are NOT in posession of the FACTS behind the incident, I suggest you keep quiet. We 'blue light' drivers are trained to a very high standard, and incidents like this are rare compared to the actual amount of miles we drive 'on the bell'. Remember, every time you see a police car, fire engine or ambulance on 'blues and twos', someone needs our help. Next time it could be YOU.
In response to Letitia, and the other 'experts', if YOU are unfortunate enough to have to dial '999', be sure to let the emergency operator know that you would like us to drive within the speed limit at all times, and stop at red traffic lights to answer YOUR call for help.
But I bet you wont........................... !
I reiterate my previous post, and, yes Nick, the ignorance of some people IS absolutely disgusting, isn't it?”
by Blue light response driver, Emergency Services, Bristol
Friday, October 23 2009, 7:35AM
“"If you are NOT in posession of the FACTS behind the incident, I suggest you keep quiet. We 'blue light' drivers are trained to a very high standard, and incidents like this are rare compared to the actual amount of miles we drive 'on the bell'. Remember, every time you see a police car, fire engine or ambulance on 'blues and twos', someone needs our help. Next time it could be YOU.
In response to Letitia, and the other 'experts', if YOU are unfortunate enough to have to dial '999', be sure to let the emergency operator know that you would like us to drive within the speed limit at all times, and stop at red traffic lights to answer YOUR call for help.
But I bet you wont........................... !
I reiterate my previous post, and, yes Nick, the ignorance of some people IS absolutely disgusting.”
by Blue light response driver, Emergency Services, Bristol.
Friday, October 23 2009, 7:34AM
“"If you are NOT in posession of the FACTS behind the incident, I suggest you keep quiet. We 'blue light' drivers are trained to a very high standard, and incidents like this are rare compared to the actual amount of miles we drive 'on the bell'. Remember, every time you see a police car, fire engine or ambulance on 'blues and twos', someone needs our help. Next time it could be YOU.
In response to Letitia, and the other 'experts', if YOU are unfortunate enough to have to dial '999', be sure to let the emergency operator know that you would like us to drive within the speed limit at all times, and stop at red traffic lights to answer YOUR call for help.
But I bet you wont........................... !
I reiterate my previous post, and, yes Nick, the ignorance of some people IS absolutely disgusting.”