Eritrean Woman killed by police car in east London

Woman killed by police car was refugee who was living at nearby YMCA

A young woman who was hit and killed by a police car on a 999 call was a refugee from Eritrea, it has now emerged. Luam Gebremariam, 26, was knocked down by a marked car on Forest Road in Walthamstow, east London, last night.

She was returning home to a nearby YMCA, where she had lived for the last 18 months.

Peter Jafar was her close friend, and told The Sun: ‘I saw her on Tuesday before she died. Luam was a very happy and bubbly girl, she loved life.

‘Everybody here is devastated, she will be very sorely missed.

‘She was crossing the road to her house, she knew this was a busy and a fast road.

’ Gilbert James, 44, who lives on Forest Road, said he ‘heard a loud bang and police sirens’. When he came out to investigate he said he ‘saw the person lying on the floor’.

The car had been responding to a call about a man threatening members of the public in Walthamstow.

Officers confirmed the man had left the premises before they arrived.

A police spokesman said the car stopped and the officers tried to help her before medics arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Images and video posted to social media a little after midnight show at least five police cars and two ambulances near the pedestrian opposite Waltham Forest Council.

Officers can be seen performing CPR in one video, before being joined by paramedics in later footage.

A third video shows officers holding a blanket to shield the body from public view.

A YMCA spokesman added: ‘The YMCA St Paul’s Group is shocked and saddened by this news and wishes to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the resident.

‘YMCA Walthamstow is supporting its residents and staff with counselling. Flowers have been laid at the site of the incident on Forest Road today by residents and staff, led by the YMCA chaplaincy team.’