Australian Father Dies After Collision With Police Vehicle in London

An Australian national has died following a collision with a marked Metropolitan Police vehicle as it responded to an emergency call in south London.
David Clark, aged 35, was pronounced dead at the scene on Borough High Street in Southwark shortly after 12:30am on January 7. The father of an infant daughter had been living in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, though some reports describe him as residing in nearby Winteringham, North Lincolnshire.
The collision occurred at the junction of Great Suffolk Street and Trinity Street as two marked police vehicles travelled south with sirens and emergency lights activated. According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Mr Clark appeared to be crossing the road when the driver of the first vehicle struck him as it passed through the junction.
Officers administered immediate first aid at the scene. The London Ambulance Service dispatched multiple resources including an ambulance, a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, an incident response officer, and a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance. A spokesperson confirmed the first paramedic arrived in under four minutes, but despite efforts Mr Clark was declared dead at the scene.
The IOPC launched an independent investigation at approximately 04:20 GMT on January 7 to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The watchdog has obtained and reviewed CCTV and police body-worn video footage, along with accounts from the officers involved.
Amanda Rowe, IOPC Director, said: “Our deepest sympathies are with Mr Clark’s family and friends both in the UK and in Australia, and everyone affected by his death. We have met with his family to advise them of our investigation and they will be provided with regular updates. They have requested privacy at this difficult time.”
She added: “Given a member of the public has died in an incident involving police, it’s important that an independent investigation is carried out to establish the full circumstances. Our investigation is in its early stages and the officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses.”
The Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed of the incident, and officers are assisting the IOPC inquiry. Both police vehicles stopped at the scene to provide aid, and cordons were placed at the site, causing disruption to local traffic.
Mr Clark’s wife paid tribute to her husband in a statement released through the BBC. “Our family is heartbroken by the unexpected and tragic loss of my husband, David,” she said. “My husband David was more than just a headline, a statistic, or a fleeting news item. He was a caring spouse, a devoted father to our infant daughter, a son, a brother, and a deeply valued friend.”
She continued: “His untimely death has created a significant and enduring gap in our lives. We request that our privacy, along with that of our family and friends, be honored. Our priority is to care for our daughter, support each other, and celebrate David’s life away from the public eye.”
Mr Clark’s next of kin has been informed and is receiving support from specialist officers. A post-mortem examination has been carried out, and an inquest date is due to be set.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​