A police officer has been killed after a marked patrol car crashed into a tree and was torn in half in Sydney’s inner west overnight.
The female constable was a passenger in the fully marked police vehicle, which was travelling under lights and sirens along Gibbons Street in Redfern when it crashed into the tree at about 1.30am.
The constable died at the scene, police said. She is yet to be formally identified.
The driver, a male constable, was treated by paramedics before being taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.
Police have established a crime scene and declared a critical incident as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
On Friday morning, as dawn broke, officers could be seen hugging and comforting each other at the scene.
‘It’s just a tragic day for all police in NSW where two young officers were doing their job as police across the state do 24/7,’ Police Association of NSW president Kevin Morton said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns also paid tribute to the female constable, believed to be in her 20s.
The female constable was a passenger in a fully marked police car when it crashed into a tree in Redfern around 1.30am on Friday
Police said the female constable died instantly
On Friday morning, officers could be seen hugging and comforting each other at the scene
‘My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the officer who has lost her life,’ Minns said.
‘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.’
Police Minister Yasmin Catley added: ‘This is heartbreaking news. Our police officers dedicate themselves to looking after others, and today the NSW Police family is mourning one of its own.
‘My heart is with her family, her loved ones and her colleagues on this dark day.’
The constable was based at Redfern Police Station – about 100 metres from the crash site – in her first posting after graduating from the NSW Police Force’s Goulburn academy less than two years ago.
Drivers have been urged to avoid the area, with a large section of Gibbons Street remaining closed.
Regent Street is closed in both directions north of Lawson Street, while Wyndham Street has also been shut. Several bus routes have been diverted.
Anyone with information or footage of the incident is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
More to come.
