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Tributes to police collision victim

4:19pm Tuesday 26th August 2008

comment Comments (56)   Have your say »

By Robert Fisk and Beckie Williams »

FRIENDS have paid tribute to a grandmother who was killed when she was involved in a collision with a police car.

Sandra Simpson was struck by the vehicle at around 9pm on Saturday (August 23) in Homesdale Road, at the junction with Gundulph Road, Bromley.

The police car is believed to have had its emergency blue lights and sirens on at the time of the collision.

Sue Alderton became friends with Mrs Simpson 35 years ago when they were both pregnant.

They lived near each other in Mornington Road, which is just a few streets away from where the incident took place.

'It is very shocking'

Ms Alderton said: "I first heard about it on Saturday night.

"It was a total shock.

"She was just a lovely person and she was a nice hard working lady.

"She will always be a loss, especially to her family."

Mohammed Abdul Matin, the Simpsons next door neighbour of 26 years, says he last saw Mrs Simpson in her kitchen, playing with her grandchild just half an hour before her death.

He said: "When you have known someone for 26 years it is very shocking.

"We were nearly like brother and sister."

The 65-year-old added: "It is very sad and I am very upset.

"I did not believe it at first and I don't know how it happened."

Floral tributes have been left at the crash scene.

One of them reads: "Dear Mum (Nanny).

"We were your sunflowers and through your love, strength and support you made us grow.

"We will love you forever x.

"Love from Natasha, Darren, Elliot, Jacob and Sonny."

Paramedics battled to try and save the 61-year-old who worked for sign company Creative FX, Masons Hill, Bromley.

Residents who live near to where the collision happened said Homesdale Road was full of emergency services vehicles after the incident.

Maureen Andrews, of Homesdale Road, says she looked outside after noticing flashing blue lights through her living room window.

The 74-year-old said: "There were two men kicking the police car - a grey haired man and a younger man.

"When the ambulance came I saw them putting blankets down and then I saw one of them lifting up a great big black bag and I knew instinctively what it was.

"I'm shaking just talking about it."

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: "The medics were there giving the woman artificial resuscitation and they kept at it for ages and ages.

"They really gave it a good go.

"The woman's husband was in a state of shock.

"He was just totally lost."

She added: "When they cleared up there was a great big pool of blood.

"She must have been hit with great force."

An investigation has been launched

Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigators are looking into the incident and will look at the actions of the police officer.

House to house enquiries were done yesterday and a post-mortem examination, which was attended by an IPCC investigator, was carried out on Sunday (August 25).

An inquest will be opened and adjourned in due course.

The IPCC's investigation continues.


Your Say YourShopper

Ellie, says...
10:36am Tue 26 Aug 08

There is so much more to this story...look it up on The Sun online !

alex, says...
10:37am Tue 26 Aug 08

i think the police where on an emergency to mcdonalds wher ther was a robbery but that doesn't excuse the accident.

L, says...
10:38am Tue 26 Aug 08

Ellie wrote:
There is so much more to this story...look it up on The Sun online !
And you believe the Sun???
My condolences to the lady's family RIP

Rich, Lewisham says...
10:51am Tue 26 Aug 08

In The Sun it says that the police car was on its was to get fast food. Ive seen this happen in Catford on Saturday afternoon, a police van pulled up outside Pizza Go Go on the one way system, it went through a red light with its blue lights on, there was no emergency. Whether or not this is the case here, we do not know but the police do do it!! If only they were that quick in an emergency!!! Condolences to the family x

francesca, sidcup says...
11:16am Tue 26 Aug 08

RIP Sandy.
always happens to the good ones. will be thinking of you and ur family ****

Kate, Sidcup says...
11:24am Tue 26 Aug 08

Never believe the Sun - it lies for a living.

Luce, says...
11:40am Tue 26 Aug 08

Yeh, course it does Kate, thats why they are sued every single day, for every story...NOT. now be quiet

Excalibur, Bromley says...
11:43am Tue 26 Aug 08

Ellie wrote:
There is so much more to this story...look it up on The Sun online !
I'm always suspicious of posts like this and their motives. Let's wait for the IPCC investigation - as we all know, alleged insider leaks and so called facts that appear in the Sun always turn out to be fabricated, ending up in a small apology hidden away at the back of the paper. Condolences to the family concerned for the shocking and sudden loss of your loved one.

Lizzielooloo, says...
11:46am Tue 26 Aug 08

Wise words Excalibur.

Thoughts and prayers for all concerned.

me, here says...
11:48am Tue 26 Aug 08

oh my god, this is so bad, i drove past just after it happened and she was laying on the floor, so sad that she died. may she rip.

sar, bromley says...
11:59am Tue 26 Aug 08

I heard it was a takeaway he was carrying aswell, not just through the sun but other sources aswell!!! Best wishes to her family!!!

Susie, says...
12:07pm Tue 26 Aug 08

So sar what your saying is they ran this poor lady over but still continued to get their take away anyway! Hmmm!! People shouldn't always believe what that read and should await the offical report if your really that concerned!

Poor lady! My thoughts are with your family x

jo, Bromley says...
12:11pm Tue 26 Aug 08

This is so sad thoughts are with the poor womans family, If it is true that the police had blue lights on and was speeding as he was on a food run i hope they driver of the car gets prosecuted for death by dangerous driving! I doubt it though the police are a law to themselves

Rattler One Seven, Bromley says...
12:15pm Tue 26 Aug 08

alex wrote:
i think the police where on an emergency to mcdonalds wher ther was a robbery but that doesn't excuse the accident.
That actually sounds more like the truth - and is probably where the Sun got its 'takeaway' story from. I agree that we should wait for the official report before making judgement, as everyone should have a healthy scepticism about any claims made by the Sun.

Heartfelt condolences to the family.

Rich, Lewisham says...
12:45pm Tue 26 Aug 08

The police are always breaking the law. Ive seen them on their phones while driving and parking on double yellows to get some food. I bet if you ask them why its because its an emergency call and if asked why they are on double yellows its either none of your business or its a police matter.

With regards to the report, it will get covered up (if they are at fault) and get to keep their jobs.

Colin, Bickley says...
1:01pm Tue 26 Aug 08

Rich wrote:
The police are always breaking the law. Ive seen them on their phones while driving and parking on double yellows to get some food. I bet if you ask them why its because its an emergency call and if asked why they are on double yellows its either none of your business or its a police matter. With regards to the report, it will get covered up (if they are at fault) and get to keep their jobs.
No prizes for guessing who's had his collar felt a few times!

This is a tragedy, and it would be nice if a certain degree of respect was shown towards the victim and her relatives. Save any nasty 'sun-like' rants until the full facts are known.

Rich, Lewisham says...
1:56pm Tue 26 Aug 08

Colin wrote:
Rich wrote: The police are always breaking the law. Ive seen them on their phones while driving and parking on double yellows to get some food. I bet if you ask them why its because its an emergency call and if asked why they are on double yellows its either none of your business or its a police matter. With regards to the report, it will get covered up (if they are at fault) and get to keep their jobs.
No prizes for guessing who's had his collar felt a few times! This is a tragedy, and it would be nice if a certain degree of respect was shown towards the victim and her relatives. Save any nasty 'sun-like' rants until the full facts are known.
Ive never been arrested or been in trouble with the police but i feel that they take the p*ss with the law because they work with it. I hope taht the police officers involved get what they deserve if they are in the wrong and driving without due care and attention

add, bromley says...
1:58pm Tue 26 Aug 08

whatever the police car was doing only they will know. what annoys me is the papers saying all these stories to sell papers when a decent family are trying to come to terms with an awfull tragerdy.

Colin, Beckenham says...
2:06pm Tue 26 Aug 08

Quite right 'add'. Unfortunately, as we all know, the Sun caters to the lowest common denominator and their readers have unfortunately lost sight that there's a very bereaved family out there. Have some respect, please.

Me, says...
2:17pm Tue 26 Aug 08

Colin wrote:
Quite right 'add'. Unfortunately, as we all know, the Sun caters to the lowest common denominator and their readers have unfortunately lost sight that there's a very bereaved family out there. Have some respect, please.
Sadly the papers DO LIE and not just papers like The Sun!
I was shocked and angry last year to read how newspapers had reported something that happened to someone i knew.
The newshopper is no better half the time either! RIP dear lady, Love to your family xx

Jane, Belvedere says...
2:23pm Tue 26 Aug 08

Comparing Newsshopper to the Sun is a bit farcical don't you think? I've always fouond my local papers to be very reliable. What lies have they told for you to come to such a wild conspiracy theory?

Excalibur, Bromley says...
3:32pm Tue 26 Aug 08

I've always found the Newsshopper to be exceptionally honest and not given to sensationalist reporting - unlike a certain other local paper in Bromley which is more like a national newspaper in its politicised and sensationalist reporting.

Bromgal, Kent says...
3:32pm Tue 26 Aug 08

If you believe everything you read in The Sun or similar, then more fool you. What about letting the incident be investigated appropriately by the IPCC before reading that trial by tabloid gossip?

Condolences to the poor woman's family.

John Hills, says...
3:45pm Tue 26 Aug 08

Jane wrote:
Comparing Newsshopper to the Sun is a bit farcical don't you think? I've always fouond my local papers to be very reliable. What lies have they told for you to come to such a wild conspiracy theory?
Oh get off your soap box Jane!
The newshopper has made mistakes many times.
How many times have people commented that the story hasnt been correct.
Now hurry back to your desk before the NS sacks you for not getting on with your work

Me, says...
4:46pm Tue 26 Aug 08

"When they cleared up there was a great big pool of blood"

I KNOW THIS IS WHAT A WHITNESS HAS SAID BUT WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE PRINTED ?
SURELY THAT IS NOT NICE FOR THE FAMILY TO READ

sar, bromley says...
4:48pm Tue 26 Aug 08

Not suprised they were smashing up the car!! id of wanted to do more than that!!!

Jane, Belvedere says...
4:56pm Tue 26 Aug 08

John Hills wrote:
Jane wrote: Comparing Newsshopper to the Sun is a bit farcical don\'t you think? I\'ve always fouond my local papers to be very reliable. What lies have they told for you to come to such a wild conspiracy theory?
Oh get off your soap box Jane! The newshopper has made mistakes many times. How many times have people commented that the story hasnt been correct. Now hurry back to your desk before the NS sacks you for not getting on with your work
Oooh, 'ark at 'im!

Just because someone says something is incorrect doesn't mean it is.

I see you're another one who jumps to wild conspiracy theories. Someone says something and you immediately know where they work or what the 'motive' is for their comment? Sad.

becky, london says...
5:10pm Tue 26 Aug 08

This is a very sad story and my thoughts go out to the poor lady's family. However, my thoughts also go to the policemen who were driving the car in this terrible accident as i am sure they were legitimately going about their business and feel absolutely horrified by what has happened just like any other decent human being would if they caused someones death. The police and all of our emergency services have a very hard job and when tragedies like this happen it makes their job so much harder too, especially when people start throwing around unfabricated stories and chinese whispers about what was supposed to have happened. There will be an enquiry and the truth will out there, not that its of any consolation to the poor ladies family and friends or to any of the other people personally involved with this awful tragedy.

archie, bromley says...
5:13pm Tue 26 Aug 08

for all those making silly comments regarding what the police were doing & comments relating to mcdonalds please take the time to look on the bbc website & read the article about the mcdonalds in bromley common being robbed at gunpoint at 9pm on saturday,it is not more likely that the police were responding to this urgent call not getting their food.

now please can you all have some respect for the family involved & stop bickering. thoughts with the family x x

sarah, homesdale road bromly says...
9:23pm Tue 26 Aug 08

This is so horrible 2 read i was taking my lil boy out for a walk when i noticed the flowers....
i hope the driver of the police car gets what e deserves cos they always get away with it.....

Tina, Bromley says...
10:07pm Tue 26 Aug 08

A loss of a lovely lady R I P Sandy. Thoughts and Prayers go to Peter and family on your tragic and untimely loss.

Gillian, says...
10:45pm Tue 26 Aug 08

sarah wrote:
This is so horrible 2 read i was taking my lil boy out for a walk when i noticed the flowers.... i hope the driver of the police car gets what e deserves cos they always get away with it.....
hold on a mo
the police car had its sirens on and lights flashing!
how do we not know that the lady just walked into the road?
maybe it wasnt the police drivers fault?

Daniel, west sussex says...
10:56pm Tue 26 Aug 08

This is such a sad story, Was good friends with Sandy's Son and am just gutted for him and his family!What a loss! Life just isn't fair!! Just remember the good time's!! 'Chuck Berry'! ****

Me,, Here. says...
11:09pm Tue 26 Aug 08

First of all... IF the driver WAS on a take-away run then he should be hung out to dry, with some very slippery soap.

However...

If he was on his way to the McDonalds robbery, with blues'n'twos, and in proper control of the car then what the hell was the woman doing anywhere near the road?

Betty & Carol, Orpington says...
9:34am Wed 27 Aug 08

In memory of a friend and neighbour for very many years. Our thoughts are with Pete and his family. RIP Sandy xx

Me,, Here says...
9:50am Wed 27 Aug 08

Someone will get the blame, and in this case its either the driver or the pedestrian.
"I hear two-tones and see blue lights coming towards me, fast! I know, I'll cross the road/wander in the kerb..."

Apply a bit of common sense - would YOU go near the road if you saw/heard that? Actually, don't answer that...

Lizzielooloo, says...
11:36am Wed 27 Aug 08

Why don't we wait and see what the IPCC's findings are before anyone jumps to conclusions and tries to apportion any type of blame before knowing the full story.

I appreciate that people the right to leave their personal point of view on any story as that is our freedom of speech, but so soon after such a tragic accident we should be thinking of this lady’s family and friends at this very sad time for them. May she rest in peace.

Bobby Womack, Memphis says...
12:24pm Wed 27 Aug 08

What are you talking about, the News Shopper is a much better paper than the Sun - I read it seven days a week - two pages at a time.

Lisa B, SE London says...
2:05pm Wed 27 Aug 08

Poor lady; My condolences to her family and her friends; May she Rest in Peace;

cleaner streets, croydon says...
2:14pm Wed 27 Aug 08

Did not no this lady personally, but i hope she is peace and that her family have the support of family and the community, in times like this we need to pull together and not judge.
This is so tragic and it is easy to put the blame but untill the ipcc investigation is over lets just all hold our tongues and be strong for the family.
RIP XX

anon, Homesdale Road says...
8:13pm Wed 27 Aug 08

I live in Homesdale Road, And have made numerous complaints about the delivery drivers from Pizza Hut for dangerous driving but the Police do nothing because they get fed for free there. the same as the Chinese and the chip shop too, they don't pay for anything, they do nothing too. The takeaways in homedale road are always full of Police getting fatter.

A sorry state.

chris, bromley says...
9:16pm Wed 27 Aug 08

its all well and good blaming the driver of the police car but surely if the sirens and blue lights were on wouldnt you of spotted it coming towards you?!?!? and what ever happend to looking left and right? its tragic someone did die but who is to blame. someone getting lunch ( which we all do ) or someone who didnt look before crossing the road? people need to be realistic about these things!

chris, bromley says...
9:21pm Wed 27 Aug 08

oh and one more thing.... where has peoples common sense gone?!?!? you dont hang your washing out in the rain so why walk in the road when a car is coming?

Grow Up!, Bromley says...
9:31pm Wed 27 Aug 08

Anon, the police dont get anything for free! And even if they did, so what! They are the ones that put their lives on the line each day for you, the ones that just want to see the driver get punished for something that may have been out of his control! And with regards to being in the takeaways getting fatter, are they not allowed to eat, or do you think they are robots? They buy takeaways because its quick and easy, and easy to leave if they need to run to you! Im fed up of people criticising the police but when you need them, you are quick to pick up the phone!

Sue, Bromley says...
9:45pm Wed 27 Aug 08

My condolences to the family.
I am truly amazed at some of the comments on here.
Everyone knows the 'papers' sensationalise stories of this nature.
Ask yourself how did they know, do they have the proof to back their allegation? I doubt it.
If this had been an 'ordinary' motorist it would not have made the nationals, it was a police car.
So I say to a lot of you people, the accident is being investigated by IPCC so lets wait for their results.
Also to those of you who say you see police breaking the law, report them, they are not above the law, report them to a higher authority not the local nik, take it up with your local councillor if need be.
It may also surprise you to know that policemen are also human, they are entitled to lunch breaks etc just like the rest of us, so why should it be unacceptable to see a copper in a cafe or takeaway???

A friend, Orpington says...
1:56pm Thu 28 Aug 08

archie wrote:
for all those making silly comments regarding what the police were doing & comments relating to mcdonalds please take the time to look on the bbc website & read the article about the mcdonalds in bromley common being robbed at gunpoint at 9pm on saturday,it is not more likely that the police were responding to this urgent call not getting their food. now please can you all have some respect for the family involved & stop bickering. thoughts with the family x x
Thank you...I totally agree! The investigation will go ahead and even then the only people that need to know about it are freinds and family. this is a hard enough time for everyone to deal with right now and to read messages from the public bickering doesnt help the freinds and family.
quote

caring friend, kent says...
10:09pm Fri 29 Aug 08

A friend wrote:
archie wrote: for all those making silly comments regarding what the police were doing & comments relating to mcdonalds please take the time to look on the bbc website & read the article about the mcdonalds in bromley common being robbed at gunpoint at 9pm on saturday,it is not more likely that the police were responding to this urgent call not getting their food. now please can you all have some respect for the family involved & stop bickering. thoughts with the family x x
Thank you...I totally agree! The investigation will go ahead and even then the only people that need to know about it are freinds and family. this is a hard enough time for everyone to deal with right now and to read messages from the public bickering doesnt help the freinds and family.
quote
at last some one wiv some humanity and feelings for others.i know this family and all they
quote
need is time to grieve for a lovely lady who adored her family so lets stop the silly bickering and nonsense messages and leave this genuiely loving family alone and give them some peace. my heart goes out to them rip sandy

South East, South East says...
4:37pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Another tragic accident on our roads. My thoughts are with the ladies family and friends. My thoughts are also with the police officers involved at this very sad time. RIP Sandra you will be sadly missed by all who knew you.

Tony mosedale, Bromley says...
11:09am Sun 31 Aug 08

To Elliot and all the family. My thoughts are with you at this sad sad time. I can just imagine how your feeling as dont know if you knew but i lost my little brother George in a car accident just 9 weeks ago. Ive prayed and asked him to look after your mum Sandy for you all. My only advice to you is keep together and try keep strong for each other. Take care love Tony x

Tanya, says...
7:24pm Mon 1 Sep 08

A lot of people on here are so unthoughtful - Someone has lost a mum,wife, grandmother, friend and people on here want to argue about whether or not the sun is better than news shopper. Also i think that the comment made by Chris about the lady walking out is so bad at this time. shame on you - Sandy RIP.. condolences to her family.x

phantom, kent says...
9:55pm Mon 1 Sep 08

was in croydon on st james's road on my motorcycle when i gave way for a police car with flashing blues coming from a busy intersection only to see them useing the local bakers 2 minutes down the road!hopefuly if that was the case with this police officer he will be kicked out the force and will have to find another way to make up for being bullied at school.

realist, kent says...
9:04am Tue 2 Sep 08

This is a perfect story for all those scum out there who have been arrested for whatever they done to come and slate the police again.

Until the report comes out noone knows what happened, but how likely is it the police were going to the robbery and someone at the scene of the accident only heard them say they were going mac d's and not the reason why - an armed robbery.

as for you Phantom. I take it your still pretty young to be saying all police were bullied at school - maybe some applied cos someone like you burgled them or robbed them. Go back to your silly little mates and drink your cider on street corners cos i think they are the only ones to think your comment was funny

phantom, kent says...
1:07pm Tue 2 Sep 08

realist i dont want a pety text row on here if the guy is innocent hes innocent i only said if thats the case he was going for food he should be chucked out and rightly so,im not young dont drink and am sitting in my nicely furnished apartment.i did not bully or rob people at school,i based my views on the fact that %90 of police are complete c*cks with personalty defects and the only way they will achieve any power in life and what they think is respect is to join the police.

Anon2, Bromley Common says...
4:41pm Tue 2 Sep 08

Let's think about the real cause of this and other events like it. And it is nothing to do with the activities of the rank and file Coppers who I would agree have a difficult job to do (sometimes).

Has anyone else noticed the A21 Bromley Common has of late become a drag strip for Police cars and vans speeding to emergencies or whatever; I can even hear one as I write this. You often see two pass going in opposite directions which kind of hints at something lacking in the control area.

(Not to mention the endless procession of ambulances up and down the A21 to the new Princess Royal hospital which is obviously far better placed to serve the people of the Bromley, being as it is almost not in the Borough at all).

The increase in Police traffic seemed to coincide with the closure of most of the old Police stations and the opening of the new grotesque and forbidding Bromley South Station (without opening yet another can of worms; to me, the forbidding architecture says a lot about how the Police see themselves in - or rather outside - make that above - society).

Unfortunately, all the local criminals didn't make allowances for this, and restrict their activites to, say, within a half mile radius of Bromley South.

Hence we have the situation of a police car speeding down Homesdale Road, having come from who knows where, on its way to Bromley Common Macdonalds. Probably two miles and 3 or 4 minutes away even at high speed.

Did they really expect the armed robbers to be waiting for them when they got there? Is that what usually happens? Surely the robbers wouldn't be half way round the M25 on a motorbike?

Still, I'm sure that there are some grainy and indecipherable CCTV images of the event that can be used for "Intelligence Led" analysis work back Bromley South. After which the criminals might just get caught if they are thick, and won't if they are smart.

Just one thought to leave you with; the Rolls Royce brains who dreamed up this situation are the same people who tell us that Al Quaeda is a James Bond style consipracy, and only their superhuman intellect and ability keep us safe in our beds.

Hmm. Let me think about that...

PC PLOD, BROMLEY says...
5:30pm Tue 2 Sep 08

anon wrote:
I live in Homesdale Road, And have made numerous complaints about the delivery drivers from Pizza Hut for dangerous driving but the Police do nothing because they get fed for free there. the same as the Chinese and the chip shop too, they don\'t pay for anything, they do nothing too. The takeaways in homedale road are always full of Police getting fatter.

A sorry state.
Just because you want it free fatso you could always move somwhere quite!!! MUG.

sally, bromley says...
9:10pm Thu 4 Sep 08

I think u mean somewhere quieter!!! MUG, LEARN 2SPELL CORRECTLEY b4 giving it the big one!!
IDIOT

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Sandra Simpson was killed in a fatal police car collision Floral tributes have been left at the crash scene

Sandra Simpson was killed in a fatal police car collision

Floral tributes have been left at the crash scene



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