A police motorcyclist involved in a collision with an elderly woman while escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh through London became visibly emotional while testifying in court, describing the incident as a “tragic accident” that transpired under conditions he had “no control over.”

Eighty-one-year-old Helen Holland succumbed to her injuries two weeks following the crash on West Cromwell Road, west London, on May 10, 2023.

Officer Christopher Harrison, 68, of the Metropolitan Police, was allegedly traveling at speeds ranging from 44 mph (70 km/h) to 58 mph (93 km/h) as he neared a traffic signal on that road, which had a 30 mph (48 km/h) speed limit at that time, according to accounts presented at the Old Bailey.

He has pleaded not guilty to causing death by careless driving.

As he provided his testimony on Wednesday, PC Harrison appeared deeply affected. He recounted that he had planned to halt at the red light at the crossing but, upon gaining a “clear view,” he noticed a “stationary” cyclist looking at him and saw “no other individuals,” leading him to decide it was safe to continue.

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC questioned him: “Do you acknowledge that you made an error in judgment? Just in that crucial moment on that day?”

Visibly struggling, PC Harrison responded, “On that day, a tragic accident transpired in a situation that I had no control over.”

The prosecutor asserted, “You were in control; you could have opted to stop your motorcycle and regulate that crossing properly.”

“Yes,” the defendant admitted.

“And you chose not to, correct?” Ms. Heeley probed further.

“No, I did not,” PC Harrison confirmed.

The jury had previously heard from Johnathan Moody, deputy chief training instructor for Lancashire Police, who suggested that PC Harrison’s conduct at the scene fell short of expected standards.

In response to this testimony, the defendant maintained, “I performed every action I was trained to do that day, and I believe I met the standards required.”

PC Harrison was part of the motorcycle escort team accompanying Sophie as she departed from the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office on King Charles Street shortly after 15:00 BST.

With 21 years of experience in the specialized escort unit, he noted that he could not quantify how many times he had made that journey and was “very familiar” with the route.

When asked why his speed had reduced to between 33 mph (53 km/h) and 38 mph (61 km/h) at the time of the crash, PC Harrison replied, “As soon as I was able to see, I applied the brakes. I apologize.”

When questioned about his first sighting of Ms. Holland, he stated, “She was right in front of me. She just appeared, between the kerb and the point of impact. I didn’t see her on the island, and I’m truly sorry.”

He also expressed that the crash “has profoundly impacted my life” and has “affected me from that moment onward.”

Ms. Holland, a resident of Birchanger in Essex, sustained a skull fracture, bruises to her arms, legs, and torso, as well as fractures in her lower legs.

A post-mortem examination determined that the cause of death was complications arising from a serious head injury.

Members of designated police escort teams, under specific circumstances, can legally exceed speed limits, run red lights, and drive against the flow of traffic to facilitate movement. The court highlighted that such exemptions must be exercised safely and with minimal danger to the public.

The trial is ongoing.