Merseyside officer dies after being hit by car

A police officer in Merseyside has been killed after a car escaping from a burglary struck him when it mounted the pavement.

The officer, who has been named as PC David Phillips, 34, was married and had two daughters.

The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning (Monday October 5) after a neighbourhood patrol officer had been deployed following a burglary at an estate agent in Birkenhead.

During the burglary offenders stole a red Mitsubishi pick-up truck, which was spotted by officers patrolling the area at around 1:30 am.

Officers then pursued the vehicle, which mounted the central reservation along Wallasey Dock North Road where two offices were standing after deploying a stop stick.

The Mitsubishi struck one of the officers and was then driven off at speed.

CPR was carried out on the injured officer at the scene. He was then taken to Arrowe Park Hospital and was pronounced dead a short while later.

The pick- up was found abandoned in Corbyn Street, Wallasey.

Merseyside Police confirmed it has launched a murder investigation into the incident and detectives are currently examining CCTV footage in a bid to identify the offenders.

Responding to the news of PC Phillips’ death Merseyside police and crime commissioner Jane Kennedy said: “Today is a deeply sad day for everyone at Merseyside Police and a day of mourning for the entire police family.

“I know I will speak for people across Merseyside when I say my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with PC David Phillips’s family, friends and colleagues during this terrible time. Our hearts go out to them.

“Police officers are on the frontline every single day protecting our communities. It is a dark day when we lose one of our own and a painful reminder of the risks that our officers face to keep us all safe. “

Merseyside Police Federation tweeted: “Devastating news of the death of a colleague. All our thoughts with the family, friends and all our officers.”