Duchess of Edinburgh ‘praying’ for elderly woman hit by police escort

An elderly woman is in critical condition after she was hit by a police motorbike escort travelling with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.

The cop and the elderly woman collided in West Cromwell Road, Earls Court, yesterday at around 3.20pm.

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

Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended and a woman, aged in her 80s, was taken to hospital.

She remains there in a critical condition. The Met said her family have been informed.

There are no reports of any other injuries.

The Buckingham palace spokesman added: “[The Duchess] 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 confirmed an independent investigation has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Pictured top: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh was being escorted by the police officer who collided with the 80-year-old woman (Picture: PA)