Driver runs over two New Zealand police officers, killing one

The attack occurred in an area of ​​central Nelson (population 55,000) near the street where the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations had concluded two hours earlier.

Before Wednesday, the last murder of an on-duty police officer in New Zealand was in 2020, when a fleeing driver shot an officer. Another 33 officers have died from criminal acts while on duty since 1890, according to police records.

The woman killed, Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, had been an officer for 38 years and was “a well-known and highly respected member of the Nelson community”, Chambers said. He is survived by his spouse and children.

The accused man is due in court on Friday.