The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has begun an investigation after a 12 year old girl was seriously injured in a collision with a police car in Camborne last week.
Leeta Rossi suffered three pelvic fractures, three skull fractures, and a bleed on her brain, and needed a plate in her ankle after being hit while on her way to school last Wednesday.
She was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro before being flown to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where she is remains in a stable condition, having previously been on a life support machine.
Leeta, a year 7 pupil at Camborne Science and International Academy, was hit just before 8am on January 6 in Trevenson Street, Camborne, by a marked, single-crewed Ford Focus police car which Devon and Cornwall Police said was responding to a violent event.
Devon & Cornwall Police referred the incident to the IPCC straight away and IPCC investigators were deployed to carry out an initial assessment. The organisation has since determined that an independent investigation will be carried out.
IPCC investigators have so far gathered relevant police logs, police airwaves transmissions and calls, initial statements and forensic data, and will be carrying out extensive house-to-house enquiries later this week.
IPCC Commissioner, Cindy Butts, said: “My thoughts go out to those involved for whom this has been a very traumatic event. "We are carrying out an independent investigation into the circumstances that led to this girl’s serious injuries. We have met the girl’s family to explain our role and how the investigation will progress. We would ask that anyone who witnessed the events that morning in Camborne come forward to speak to us.”
Following the incident, Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, responsible for local policing in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “This is a very sad and terrible incident for everyone involved and a police officer’s worst nightmare. All our thoughts are with the child and her family at this extremely difficult time.”
The IPCC is appealing for any witnesses to the incident who have not already come forward to police to call 0800 096 9070 or email Camborne@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk
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