Update: Police driver who knocked over BIdeford pedestrian suspended from driving

The police officer who was driving a marked police van when it struck a female pedestrian in Bideford has been suspended from driving pending the outcome of the investigation.

A 28 year-old Bideford woman suffered life-threatening head injuries when she was hit by the van yesterday afternoon at 5.17pm. She was initially taken to the North Devon District Hospital, but has since been airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. The driver of the police van, a serving officer, was uninjured.

The incident has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.The force has asked Avon & Somerset police to oversee the investigation.

Officers from the serious collisions investigation unit would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them on 101 and quote log 738 of 6 March 2013.