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ROYAL SMASH

Woman in 80s ‘lucky to be alive after being thrown 40ft’ when motorcycle in Duchess of Edinburgh’s Royal escort hit her

A WOMAN in her eighties is "lucky to be alive after being thrown 40ft" when a motorcycle in the Duchess of Edinburgh's Royal escort hit her.

Onlookers described how the woman was hit while crossing the road in Earls Court, West London yesterday afternoon.

A woman in her 80s is fighting for her life after a collision with a police motorcycle escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh
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A woman in her 80s is fighting for her life after a collision with a police motorcycle escorting the Duchess of EdinburghCredit: Jamie Lorriman
Buckingham Palace has said Sophie's 'thoughts and prayers are with the lady and her family'
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Buckingham Palace has said Sophie's 'thoughts and prayers are with the lady and her family'Credit: AFP
A motorcycle with King Charles' insignia was parked at the scene
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A motorcycle with King Charles' insignia was parked at the sceneCredit: Jamie Lorriman
A second bike with damage to the front was seen at the crash site
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A second bike with damage to the front was seen at the crash siteCredit: Jamie Lorriman

Pensioner Martin Hennessy, 62, told the : "She’s lucky to be alive at all. The road is a nightmare.

"When you get to the junction you have to step out to see if anything is coming, that’s when she was hit.

"She’d been thrown across the road and the ambulance were treating her."

The pensioner - who has not been named - is fighting for life in a critical condition.

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It is understood the Duchess was escorted by a rolling police escort manned by motorcycle outriders when the collision happened.

Two bikes - one with King Charles' cypher - were seen inside the cordon yesterday evening.

A palace spokesman said: "The Duchess’s heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family.

"She is grateful for the swift response by the emergency services and will keep abreast of developments.

"Further comment at this time would not be appropriate while the incident is being investigated."

The Met Police's Special Escort Group provide armed escorts for Royal Family members, VIPs, protected members of the Government, visiting royals, heads of state and other visiting dignitaries.

It also provides armed vehicle escorts for valuable, hazardous and protected loads - and can include high-risk prisoners.

A Met Police 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 the junction of Cromwell Road and Warwick Road, SW5. 

"Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance attended and a woman, aged in her 80s, has been taken to hospital.

"She remains there in a critical condition. Her family have been informed.

"There are no reports of any other injuries. Enquiries into the circumstances of the collision are ongoing.

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"Road closures remain in place while the scene is dealt with.

"As is routine, the Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed."

The West London road has been cordoned off
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The West London road has been cordoned offCredit: Jamie Lorriman
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