Bike crash officer PC Paul Briggs dies after being taken off life support

A police officer with severe injuries has passed away peacefully – just weeks after his wife won a court battle to let him die.

Father-of-one Paul Briggs, who was left minimally conscious in a motorcycle crash in July 2015, was taken off life support after a judge ruled last month that doctors should stop providing treatment.

The 43-year-old Merseyside Police constable had suffered horrific head injuries when he was knocked off a motorbike while heading into work.

Wife Lindsey, 40, won a court protection ruling to move the ex-Gulf War veteran to a hospice for palliative care.

PC Briggs, who died on Saturday (January 21) had suffered five spinal fractures and a bleed on the brain.

Mrs Briggs, mother of his five-year-old daughter Ella, said: “We’re devastated he has gone and are grieving for Paul but we are also relieved for him.

“We are so, so sad to have lost him but know that he is finally free and at peace.”

The traffic officer and former soldier was left in a persistent vegetative state, needing 24-hour care, following the crash.

Mrs Briggs knew he would not want to be kept on life support without any prospect of recovery, but he had not written down those wishes in a “living will”.

So she fought a year-long battle with doctors and a government lawyer to get Paul’s voice heard.

In December, a judge in the Court of Protection ruled that Mrs Briggs should be able to carry out Paul’s wishes and set him free.

Two weeks ago he was moved to a hospice near home in Wirral where palliative care experts gradually withdrew his life support, keeping him pain free.

Mrs Briggs added: “Ella and I now want to spend time with our family and friends remembering Paul for the amazing, lovely man he was.

“We’d like to thank the wonderful staff at the hospice and everyone who has supported us since Paul’s accident.”

Mrs Briggs had been with Paul, a Gulf War veteran, since she was 18. They wed in 2000.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror earlier this month she said: “Paul was an active, fit man, confident and proud of his achievements.

“He loved being a policeman and a hands on father. He lived every day as though it was his last.

“He read the Bible, he believed in a better place, he deserves a peaceful death.

“We had 20 wonderful years together and I know this is what he would have wanted.

“I still cry, a lot, but it’s not for me, it’s for Ella, and most of all for Paul, for everything that he has lost.”

And she hopes his story will help other families facing similar dilemmas by highlighting the importance of making “advance decisions”, or living wills.

Chief Constable Andy Cooke said: “On behalf of PC Briggs` colleagues and friends at Merseyside Police I want to let his family know that we are all thinking of them at this tragic time.

“I have met with Paul`s wife Lindsey and the last 16 months have been devastating for her and Paul`s family, but they bravely fought for Paul`s right to die.

“Paul was a young man and his death is a tragedy, but I know that Lindsey, his daughter Ella and his family will find some comfort in knowing that Paul is now at peace and his wishes have been honoured.

“Paul joined Merseyside Police in 2004, following in his father`s footsteps by choosing a career in policing after leaving the Army. His first posting was in Wallasey between 2004 and 2007.

“From there Paul joined the Roads Policing Unit in 2007, where he quickly became a valued member of the team. Paul dedicated his career to protecting the public and today the force is flying the flag at half mast in his honour.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Lindsey, Ella, his family, friends and colleagues”.

The `allow to die` court battle had heard Mrs Briggs saying she had seen her husband`s “dignity slip away” in calling for the life-sustaining treatment on the Merseyside Police officer to cease – but doctors disagreed and opposed the move. 

On December 20, Mr Justice Charles announced his decision to allow that right after analysing evidence at a November hearin