Elderly woman hit by police motorcycle escorting U.K. royal in London

An elderly woman is in critical condition following a collision with a police motorcycle escorting Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, in west London, authorities said Thursday.

The woman, who’s said to be in her 80s, was hit on Wednesday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police said.

The incident happened around 3:20 p.m., local time. The woman, who has not been named, was treated at the scene by paramedics and then taken to a “major trauma center” in London, the BBC reported citing the London Ambulance Service.

She remained hospitalized on Thursday.

No other injuries were reported, police said. An investigation, which is “at a very early stage” is ongoing, a spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct said.

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, released a statement through a Buckingham Palace spokesperson saying her “heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family.”

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The 58-year-old working royal is married to Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, who’s King Charles’ youngest sibling.

The duchess also said she was “grateful for the swift response by the emergency services.”

The spokesperson said Buckingham would not provide any additional comments “at this time,” since the incident is still being investigated.

In June 2019, another elderly woman had to be hospitalized following a collision with a motorcycle escorting members of the royal family. That time the escort was for Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton.

The 83-year-old woman was hospitalized in a “serious but stable” condition.

The Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly sent the woman flowers and were said to “stay in touch throughout every stage of her recovery,” according to a Kensington Palace spokesperson.

With News Wire Services