New Zealand female cop is alleged mowed down and killed by a car in horror New Year’s tragedy – as a man is Tasered and arrested at the scene

A New Zealand police officer has been killed in the line of duty and another seriously injured after a driver allegedly hit them and rammed them into their police car following New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Senior Sergeants Lyn Fleming, 62, and Adam Ramsay were conducting foot patrols in a car park in Nelson, in the south of the country, early on Wednesday when a vehicle reportedly drove into officers ‘at high speed’.

Senior Sergeant Fleming later died in hospital surrounded by her family. Her seriously injured colleague is still in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

An unnamed third officer and two members of the public were also injured.

Police tasered and arrested a 32-year-old man at the scene.

Until Wednesday, the most recent death of a New Zealand police officer in the line of duty occurred in 2020, when a fleeing driver shot an officer.

The death of Senior Sergeant Fleming caused an outpouring of grief from authorities.

‘A widely respected police officer with 38 years of frontline service. She was also a loved and cherished daughter, mother, wife and valued member of the wider Nelson community,” Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told reporters.

“Lyn was a beautiful soul and her death will be felt by the Nelson community and our police family.”

Senior Sergeant’s death has shocked the South Island city.

Commissioner Chambers laid flowers outside Albion Square police station, along with Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Nelson Mayor Nick Smith.

“The magnitude of this tragedy is that it is the first in Nelson’s history where a police officer has been killed in the line of duty, and also the first for New Zealand where a female officer has been killed,” Cr Smith said.

Minister Mitchell said the officers were “targeted in what I (reportedly) consider to be a very cowardly attack.”

“There was no indication at this stage that this would happen,” Commissioner Chamber added.

“Lyn and Adam, like so many of our officers, worked on New Year’s Eve to keep people safe on a night meant to be celebrated.

Heartbroken colleagues remembered Senior Sergeant as ‘an incredible police officer with a good heart’

‘I could always ask you for help or advice. It was an honor to serve with you,” one person said.

“I don’t feel like starting my shift today, but we honor you and your legacy by staying strong and carrying on.”

The car park where Senior Sergeant Fleming and a colleague were allegedly mowed down by a car remained a crime scene on Wednesday

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also expressed his condolences.

“Police across New Zealand do a fantastic job keeping us safe and it is heartbreaking for an officer to lose her life in the line of duty,” he said.

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

Police allege the vehicle allegedly rammed into officers as they patrolled a central Nelson car park after the city’s New Year celebrations ended.

A witness claimed the car made a U-turn before ramming the police vehicle.

‘[They] spun around the police car [with his car]a female officer stepped aside, then he came around again and went straight nose-to-nose [the police car]he told NZ’s 1News at Six.

‘It was a great bang.’

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said Sergeant Fleming was a “beautiful soul.”

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers were among those who laid flowers following the death of Senior Sergeant Fleming

Senior Sergeant Fleming was also a top netball coach.

“We are absolutely devastated by the passing of our Senior A netball coach,” said a statement from Nelson College for Girls.

“Words cannot describe her impact on our athletes, coaches and staff. We love you.’

A candlelight vigil for Senior will be held in Nelson this Friday evening.

The man accused of the incident remains in custody and will appear in court on Friday.