Crash death Pc’s widow hails the end of BMW patrol cars

THE widow of a police officer killed in a crash involving a “dangerous” BMW patrol car has welcomed the firm’s decision to stop supplying the vehicles to UK forces.

But Kathryn Dumphreys, a mother of two, has criticised the National Police Chiefs’ Council for the “appalling and insulting” decision not to withdraw the N57 adapted models immediately.

Pc Nick Dumphreys, 47, died while responding to an emergency call on the M6 near Carlisle on Jan 26 2020.

The Cumbria News and Star reported that an inquest into his death heard that his car’s N57 engine suffered “catastrophic failure”.

The inquest heard that similar faults had been reported in police vehicles with the engine between five and seven times a month between 2014 and 2017.

Carlisle coroner Robert Cohen said that Pc Dumphreys, an advanced driver, could not have prevented the crash and concluded the death was accidental.

Now BMW has announced it is closing its specialist sales division after many forces restricted the use of its cars featuring the N57 engine.

BMW has said the problem was down to the “particular way” police use the vehicles and that there was “no need for action on any civilian vehicles”.

Welcoming BMW’S decision, Mrs Dumphreys said: “Although it is too little too late for Nick and our family, BMW’S decision to stop supplying cars to UK police forces with immediate effect is the first step in the right direction. It is glaringly obvious these cars were not and in my view are still not fit or safe for UK policing purposes.

“This is finally the correct decision and given that BMW were fully aware of the risks in the years prior to Nick’s death, it is the action that should have been taken years ago.

“I firmly believe that had these cars been withdrawn from UK policing years

‘Had these cars been withdrawn from UK policing years ago, Nick would still be alive’

ago – as they should have been – Nick would still be alive. I am relieved that the safety of our officers and the public is finally being taken seriously.”

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods, NPCC lead on police driving, said: “Vehicles that have been assessed as at risk and unsuitable for police use have been removed from service.

“Any remaining usable BMWS with the engine type identified are subject to rigorous monitoring.

“Our priority is to ensure the safety and the long-term integrity of the equipment our officers use.”