Police officer dead in accident while escorting COVID victim for funeral

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Sri Lanka Police Sub-Inspector died in a motor accident while providing an escort to a hearse transporting the body of a COVID-19 victim.

Sri Lanka Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said death of a 79-year-old woman due to COVID-19 was reported to the Hatton Police and according to the regulations the body was being transported to the Ottamawadi  area.

"A van was providing security for the hearse transporting the body. A Police team and two civilians along with the driver were in the van and at 07:00 AM on Saturday (05), the van toppled on the Awissawella Road," said the Police Spokesperson adding a Police Sub-Inspector died in the accident.

Preliminary police investigations determined that bad weather conditions led to the accident.

The injured police officers and civilians were rushed to hospital for treatment.

'The hearse and the body of the COVID victim were accompanied by another vehicle to Ottamawadi  for the funeral," said the Police Spokesperson.