He didn’t stand a chance: Pc mown down and killed by stolen car

Pc David Phillips with wife Jen and daughters Abigail, 7, and Sophie, 3

A POLICE officer knocked down and killed by a stolen pick-up truck “didn’t stand a chance”, his chief constable said today.

Pc David Phillips was standing on a central reservation when the stolen Mitsubishi, being pursued by police following a burglary, mounted the kerb and hit him at speed before driving off.

The 34-year-old father of two young children was given emergency first aid by colleagues and rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, Merseyside Police said.

The stolen vehicle was found abandoned a short time later in Wallasey.

“He didn’t stand a chance,” said chief constable Sir Jon Murphy.

Sir Jon said Pc Phillips was with a young colleague who tried to stop the stolen vehicle using a stinger device to puncture its tyres.

He said: “The Mitsubishi vehicle mounted the central reservation, drove directly at the officers down the central reservation and hit Constable Phillips. He did not stand a chance.”

Pc Phillips was married and he and his wife, Jen, had two young daughters, Abigail, aged seven, and three-year-old Sophie.

Pc David Phillips was killed with a stolen vehicle on Wallasey, Merseyside.

“Our thoughts are clearly with them at this time and with his mother and father,” said Sir Jon. “This is an incredibly sad day for Merseyside Police.”

Pc Phillips joined Merseyside Police in 2006 and was “popular and held in high regard” by his colleagues.

Sir Jon said Pc Phillips is the first Merseyside Police officer to be killed on duty as a result of a criminal act since 1981 and paid tribute to the bravery of his officers.

“David’s death serves as a reminder of the risks that the men and women of this force and the other forces in the UK face, in serving the public.

“They come to work, day in day out, knowing the risks they all face.

“But their wives, their husbands, their loved ones and their families expect them to come home at the end of their watch.

“Sadly, David did not and his daughters will have to grow up without their father.”

Sir Jon appealed for those responsible to do the “sensible thing” and warned, “we will find you.”

But he also said the evidence police have currently is the abandoned car and “nothing else”.

He emphasised the appeal for information and said: “We have got no idea who has done this.”

Merseyside police and crime commissioner Jane Kennedy’s voice broke with emotion as she spoke to dozens of TV crews, reporters and photographers at the press conference at the force HQ in Liverpool.

She said: “Today is a day of mourning for the entire police family.