A highly respected police officer has died following an incident in Nelson.

New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has spoken of the tragic death of Senior Sergeant Lynn Fleming folllwong the incident at Buxton Square in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Fleming, a dedicated officer with 38 years of service, passed away after being struck by a vehicle during a foot patrol alongside her colleague, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsey.

“My staff have been working New Year’s Eve across the country to keep the public safe, and it was no different here in Nelson,” Chambers said.

“Shortly after 2am this morning, Senior Sergeant Lynn Fleming and Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsey were on a foot patrol in Buxton Square when a vehicle drove at them at speed and collided with them. The injuries they sustained were critical.”

He said the vehicle then turned and rammed a police car, which contained another police officer and a member of the public.

“In that police car was another colleague of ours and a member of the public,” Chambers explained.

“During this incident, two members of the public have also been injured, and a third member of police received a concussion.”

Despite immediate first aid efforts, Fleming succumbed to her injuries later in the day.

“I acknowledge the work of my colleagues to provide immediate first aid and CPR to Lynn and Adam,” Chambers said. “I also want to thank the Nelson Hospital staff for everything they did throughout today to try to save Lynn.”

“Senior Sergeant Lynn Fleming was a daughter, a mother, a wife, and a well-known and highly respected member of the Nelson community,” Chambers said.

“She was a beautiful soul and an outstanding police officer. I had the privilege of working alongside Lynn between 2012 and 2014 here in Nelson. Her qualities as a police officer are something all New Zealanders can be proud of.

“Lynn was the area response manager here in Nelson. She had dedicated 38 years to serving communities, starting with the Ministry of Transport and joining the New Zealand Police in 1992.”

Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsey, who was also critically injured, remains in a serious condition but is expected to make a full recovery.

“Adam is the area prevention manager here in Nelson. He is a very experienced and highly respected member of police, having completed 16 years of frontline police service,” Chambers said.

“I visited the hospital today to speak with Adam, his family, and Lynn’s family. Adam is likely to go into surgery soon.”

The third officer injured in the incident suffered a concussion but is expected to recover fully.

Chambers also detailed the injuries sustained by members of the public. “A lady sustained a broken arm and is likely to undergo surgery this afternoon,” he said.

“A male member of the public who came to assist my staff received an injury to his shoulder.”

A 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

“The driver of the vehicle was tasered by other attending police staff and taken into custody,” Chambers said.

Chambers acknowledged the profound impact it has had on the police community. “A tragic day for New Zealand Police, for New Zealand, where we have lost a police officer,” he said. “Our priorities are to provide support to Lynn’s family, Adam’s family, and my police staff—not just here in Nelson, but across the country.”

“The strength of the police family is something we are all very proud of, and it’s times like this that we come together with strength to support each other.”

“I finish by thanking all my staff across the country who, because of the nature of their work, put themselves in harm’s way at times,” he said. “Or, as in the early hours of this morning, had no choice when faced with a situation where time did not allow them to keep themselves safe while they worked incredibly hard to keep the public safe.”

New Zealand Prime Minister pays tribute to officer

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said “I am devastated that Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming has died and another officer is critically injured after a violent incident in Nelson last night.

“Police across New Zealand do an incredible job keeping us safe and it’s heart-wrenching for an officer to lose her life carrying out that duty.

I extend my deepest condolences to Lyn’s loved ones and colleagues and hope for the recovery of those injured.

This is a devastating day for Police and for New Zealand. Lyn will never be forgotten.”