Woman dies after being hit by police car

A 71-year-old woman has been killed after she was hit by a police car.

The woman was struck while walking at the intersection of Sheridan Street and Lily Street in Cairns about 6.55am on Thursday.

She suffered serious injuries, and received first aid from an officer who was in the car.

The woman – who was from Trinity Beach, a town about 20 kilometres north of Cairns – was then treated by paramedics and transported to Cairns Hospital. She died about midday.

Officers closed off Lily Street, between Digger and Sheridan streets.

Speaking from police headquarters in Brisbane several hours later, Regional Operations Deputy Commissioner John Tims said an investigation into the incident had been launched.

He confirmed the occupants of the vehicle had been a sergeant and two senior constables, but did not reveal who had been driving.

“I can give 100 per cent assurance that this investigation will be thorough,” he told reporters.

“No police officer shows up to work expecting to be involved in a situation like this.”

He added a decision was yet to be made on if the officers involved would remain on duty while the investigation was under way, but guaranteed they would be prosecuted if it was found a crime had been committed.

The investigation will be carried out by the Forensic Crash Unit and Ethical Standards Command, with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Tims declined to comment on if the woman had crossed with a green pedestrian light, where the police were driving at the time she was hit, and if they had activated their sirens.

“That will form part of the investigation,” he repeatedly said.

Earlier in the day police appealed for anyone to come forward who had seen the collision, or who had dashcam footage of it.

The police union said it was providing legal and support services to the officers involved.

“No police were physically injured, but their wellbeing is a priority for our team,” a statement posted online by the union read.

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