Officer who witnessed Darcey Freeman West Gate aftermath sues Victoria Police
A POLICE officer who watched paramedics frantically try to save Darcey Freeman after she was tossed over the West Gate Bridge is suing police.
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A POLICE officer who watched paramedics frantically try to save Darcey Freeman after she was tossed over the West Gate Bridge is suing police.
Sen-Constable Tamara Wright appeared in the County Court today where she was forced to relive the shocking day in 2009 when the five-year-old was murdered.
The officer could be awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars if successful in her claim against the force and VicRoads.
In a statement of claim, Sen-Constable Wright declared she had suffered injury, loss and damage from the ordeal.
But the Herald Sun is unable to disclose what that injury is after a court-imposed gag order was issued by Judge Mark Dean.
The court heard Sen-Constable Wright was the officer in charge when Water Police brought the little girl’s lifeless body to shore under the bridge.
Darcey fell 58m to her death after she was tossed over the side by her father Arthur Freeman on January 29 that year.
Freeman was in 2011 found guilty of her murder and was jailed for life, to serve a minimum 32 years in jail.
Sen-Constable Wright, who continues to serve as an officer in Geelong, told the court she still suffered from the ordeal and was haunted by memories of the day.
The officer — a mother of a four-year old — claims Victoria Police failed in its duty of care to her following the incident, which has severely impacted on her life.
But barristers acting for police dismissed the claim, alleging the officer had not suffered enough to be paid compensation.
The legal action comes a year after another officer who worked that day sued Victoria Police and VicRoads.
In a writ filed with the court, Ms Spiteri alleged Victoria Police did not have adequate systems in place to support officers exposed to stressful events.
In 2014 Darcey’s mum, Peta Barnes, reached a confidential settlement with VicRoads after taking similar action in the Supreme Court.
She said VicRoads continually ignored advice to install anti-jump fencing, which could have saved her daughter.
The hearing continues.