A 71-year-old woman died after being struck by a police vehicle in Cairns. The incident is under investigation by multiple agencies.
A 71-year-old woman, identified as Boksoon Kwon, has died after being hit by a police vehicle at an intersection in Cairns, North Queensland, on Thursday morning. The collision occurred at the intersection of Sheridan Street and Lily Street in Cairns North at approximately 7:00 am. Officers provided medical aid at the scene, but the woman was transported to Cairns Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she died later that morning.
Investigation Underway
The investigation is being conducted by multiple agencies, including the Forensic Crash Unit, the Ethical Standards Command (ESC), the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), and the Coroner. The ESC is investigating the actions of the officers, while the Forensic Crash Unit is examining the crash itself.
Details of the Incident
The driver of the police vehicle underwent mandatory drug and alcohol testing. No charges have been filed at this stage.
Video evidence from a nearby shop’s CCTV indicates the police vehicle made a sharp turn into the intersection and activated its lights moments before the collision. One source reports that the vehicle’s sirens were also activated.
Three officers were in the vehicle at the time: one sergeant and two constables.
Conflicting Accounts of Police Activity
The Queensland Police Union stated that officers were attempting to apprehend an offender at the time of the crash. However, Deputy Police Commissioner John Tims stated that the investigation will determine whether officers were responding to an incident at the time.
Policy Context and Next Steps
The incident has drawn attention to Queensland Police pursuit policy. Deputy Commissioner Tims stated that any necessary policy or procedural changes will be implemented. The Queensland Police Service has been reviewing its pursuit policy since May of the previous year.
A section of Lily Street between Digger Street and Sheridan Street remains closed. Police have requested witnesses or individuals with relevant dashcam footage to contact authorities.