A devastating incident occurred on New Year’s Day in Nelson, New Zealand, where one police officer lost their life and another was seriously injured after being hit by a car during an early morning patrol.
The country’s police chief, Richard Chambers, confirmed the news, stating that the vehicle drove into the officers “at speed” before ramming a police car.
A Routine Patrol Turns Deadly
The incident happened at around 2 am local time in a parking lot at Buxton Square, downtown Nelson, just hours after the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations had concluded. The officers were performing a routine patrol when the vehicle struck them. Both officers were rushed to Nelson Hospital in critical condition, but sadly, one of them, Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, died a few hours later.
I am devastated that Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming has died and another officer is critically injured after a violent incident in Nelson last night.
Police across New Zealand do an incredible job keeping us safe and it’s heart-wrenching for an officer to lose her life carrying…
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) January 1, 2025
A Respected and Cherished Member of the Community
Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was a highly respected police officer with 38 years of frontline service. She was also a loved and cherished daughter, mother, wife, and valued member of the wider Nelson community. Commissioner Chambers described her as “a beautiful soul” and said her death would be felt across the Nelson community and the police family.
Another Officer Injured, Others Affected
The other officer, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, was seriously injured but is expected to make a full recovery. A third officer who was in the rammed police car received a concussion, and two members of the public were hurt, one of whom was trying to help the injured officers.
Condemning the Senseless Act
Commissioner Chambers condemned the “senseless act of an individual who appears to have been determined to cause harm.” He did not suggest a motive for the attack, but said there was no indication that it was going to occur. The Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, described the incident as a “cowardly attack” and said the officers were targeted.
A Rare and Tragic Event in New Zealand
The killing of police officers on duty is rare in New Zealand. Before this incident, the last killing of a police officer on duty was in 2020, when an officer was shot by a fleeing driver. Since 1890, 33 other officers have died through criminal acts while on duty, according to police records.
Justice to Be Served
A 32-year-old man has been charged over the incident and is due to appear in court on Friday. The community is still reeling from the shock of this senseless attack, and the police are working to ensure that justice is served.