Police officer dies after overnight car ramming in New Zealand

The violent incident occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day and claimed the life of a police officer.

A local mother has been identified as the police officer brutally killed in a car ramming in Nelson, a city in the northwest of New Zealand’s South Island, in an incident described by police as “deliberate”.

Police commissioner Richard Chambers and the police minister Mark Mitchell held a joint press conference at the Tasman District Police headquarters where they confirmed senior sergeant Lyn Fleming had died, the NZ Herald reports.

“A vehicle drove at them at speed and collided with them. The vehicle then turned and drove at a police car, ramming it,” Commissioner Chambers said.

Sergeant Lyn Fleming died after being hit by a car driven by a member of the public in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Picture: Supplied / New Zealand Police

A second officer, Sergeant Adam Ramsay was critically injured during the incident, with the Commissioner confirming he was set to undergo surgery later this afternoon.

He also confirmed a third police officer was concussed and two members of the public were also injured.

Footage of the incident uploaded to X showed multiple officers appearing to restrain someone as a small crowd formed around them in the Buxton Square carpark in Nelson.

The camera then pans to a mini-van which accelerates in the direction of the police before making impact with their vehicle.

Horrified bystanders can be heard screaming in shock with one woman heard saying “Oh my God, oh my God” following the collision.

Police officer dies after overnight car ramming in New Zealand

“I thank my staff and the public for the support [provided to the officers],” Commissioner Chambers said.

Healthcare provider Hato Hone St John confirmed three of its emergency response vehicles attended the scene, transporting two critically injured patients to Nelson Hospital.

Paying tribute to Sergeant Fleming, Commissioner Chambers described her as a “well known” and “highly respected” member of the Nelson community who had worked with the New Zealand police for almost four decades.

“She was a beautiful soul and an outstanding police officer,” he said.

“Lyn’s qualities as a police officer is something all New Zealanders can be proud of.”

The Commissioner said that police were investigating whether the attack was a targeted incident.

“A 32-year-old male was arrested at the scene, he was tasered by other attending police staff,” he said.

New Zealand's Minister of Police Mark Mitchell was notified minutes after the incident occurred and addressed media alongside the commissioner earlier today. Picture: Urs Flueeler / AFP

Commissioner Chambers confirmed that he was called just minutes after the incident occurred, then ringing the Minister of Police not long after.

“It’s not a phone call any police officer wants to receive,” he said.

“We have lost staff over the years, and we will recover, but it hurts forever.”

Nelson College for Girls also paid tribute to Ms Fleming over social media.

“We are absolutely devastated to learn of the passing of our Senior A netball coach, Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. The bedrock of our netball program for over a decade,” it read.

“Words cannot describe her impact on our athletes, coaches and staff at Nelson College for Girls. We love you.”