Police death: Driver to appear in Nelson court tomorrow

The driver of a car that fatally hit a long-serving Nelson police officer early on New Year’s Day is expected to face multiple serious charges when he appears in court tomorrow.

Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was one of two officers struck by a vehicle in Nelson’s Buxton Square. She later died from her injuries, while her colleague Adam Ramsey remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Two members of the public were also injured in this incident – one woman received a broken arm and a man who came to assist police was injured in his shoulder. A third police officer was assessed for a concussion and discharged from hospital.

Fleming and Ramsey were patrolling the square on foot about 2am, when a vehicle sped towards them and collided with them. The vehicle then turned and drove at a police car, ramming it.

The 32-year-old driver of the vehicle was tasered and arrested at the scene, and is due to appear in Nelson District Court on Friday.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said this was a “unprovoked and senseless” attack, and the driver would be charged with “serious criminal offences”.

Chambers said other officers and members of the public gave first aid to the injured victims.

He said Fleming was a widely respected police officer with 38 years front-line service.

“My absolute priority is to ensure our people and their families are supported as best they can be, during this difficult time.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Police Minister Mark Mitchell both paid tribute to Fleming, and Nelson MP Rachel Boyack called the death “devastating news”.

Fleming was long involved in local sport and coached netball at Nelson College for Girls. The team paid tribute to “the bedrock of our netball programme for over a decade”.

Flowers were laid outside the police station in Albion Square.

Mayor Nick Smith said, “I invite Nelsonians to show their support for our police by laying flowers at the flagpole.”

A book of condolence for Fleming has been made available at Nelson Cathedral.

“The Cathedral will be open from 8.30am to 7pm each day for anyone to record their condolences to this outstanding police officer,” said Cathedral Reverend Steve Jordan, himself a former police chief of 30 years service.

“The Cathedral flag will also be flown at half-mast in honour of Senior Sergeant Fleming,” he added.

The community has organised a candlelight vigil on the steps of the Cathedral on Friday night.

The Cathedral’s Sunday service at 10am will feature a two-minute silence and singing of the National Anthem.

34th officer killed in the line of duty

Fleming’s death raised the number of officers to have died in the line of duty in New Zealand to 34.

Police Association president Chris Cahill said the toll was just a number, and behind it were 34 people and families who were affected forever.

Police did a dangerous job, and while assaults on officers were common, they did not expect to be confronted with this level of violence, he said.

Enquiries into Fleming’s death were ongoing, but it appeared the officers had little chance of avoiding what was a surprise attack, Cahill said.

“The circumstances known to date, it’s very hard; you’ve got determined offender who’s using a motor vehicle as a weapon, it’s almost impossible, and you just don’t expect to be confronted with that level of violence and you’re pretty limited to be able to protect yourself.”

Police will be brought in from other regions to help investigate Fleming’s death.

Chambers said a thorough investigation lay ahead, and staff from outside Nelson would help with the inquiry because of the emotional strain on local officers.

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