Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was killed after a car ramming in Nelson in the early hours of January 1, 2025. Photo / Supplied
WARNING: Graphic content.
A police officer has died after a car ramming in Nelson overnight.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and the Minister of Police Mark Mitchell spoke at the Tasman District Police headquarters today after an incident in which two officers were initially critically injured when a car rammed a police car.
The officer who has since died was Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.
Chambers described Fleming as “a widely respected police officer with 38 years’ front line service”.
“She was also a loved and cherished, daughter, mother, wife and valued member of the wider Nelson community. Lyn was a beautiful soul and her death will be felt across the Nelson community and our Police family,” he said.
About 2.10am today, a vehicle driven by a member of the public struck a police vehicle at a gathering in the Buxton Square Carpark in Nelson.
“A vehicle drove at them at speed and collided with them,” Chambers said.
“The vehicle then turned and drove at a police car, ramming it.”
A second officer critically injured in the incident, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, was about to go into surgery this afternoon, Chambers said.
A third police officer was concussed and two members of the public were injured.
Witnesses recorded video footage of the incident, showing a frenzied scene where two officers could be seen trying to restrain somebody as a crowd gathered around and a car sped towards them.
“I thank my staff and the public for the support [provided to the officers],” Chambers said.
“A 32-year-old male was arrested at the scene. He was tasered by other attending police staff.”
Chambers said police were investigating whether it was a targeted incident.
He said his staff phoned him minutes after the incident and then rang the Minister of Police.
“It’s not a phone call any police officer wants to receive,” he said.
“We don’t want to lose anyone. We have a lot to be proud of in New Zealand, but nobody deserves to live in a country where these senseless acts occur. We have lost staff over the years, and we will recover, but it hurts forever.
“Lyn and Adam throughout their entire careers have done a fantastic job. We join to make a difference. When these events happen it hurts all of us. We must remember: Behind the uniform is a human being.”
Video of the incident, filmed by a bystander inside a nearby car, showed two officers appearing to restrain a person on the ground next to their patrol car as a small crowd congregated nearby.
The footage then showed a white minivan driving across the carpark in the direction of police as a person could be heard yelling in shock.
“Oh my god, oh my god,” a young woman said after the impact, as other bystanders walked towards the point of impact and another police vehicle arrived with lights flashing.
“What the f*** did I just witness?” a young man yelled.
The Herald has edited the video to omit the moment of impact.
Hato Hone St John said three of its ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and an operations manager attended the incident and transported two patients to Nelson Hospital, both critically injured.
Nelson College for Girls has also paid tribute to Fleming.
“We are absolutely devastated to learn of the passing of our Senior A netball coach, Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. The bedrock of our netball programme for over a decade,” they wrote on social media.
“Words cannot describe her impact on our athletes, coaches and staff at Nelson College for Girls. We love you.”
Mitchell earlier commented on the incident on X, formerly Twitter.
“I’m travelling to Nelson following the tragic incident this morning,” he said.
“This is devastating and heartbreaking for family, friends, the police family and for the country to wake up to news like this.”
A NZME reporter at the scene said there were still a number of police vehicles inside the cordon.
People who live near the incident scene described hearing “a terrible, loud noise” they realise now must have been the police car being hit.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said the incident was “an awful start for the new year” for the community.
“The thoughts of the Nelson community are with those police and our community will want ... the offender to be held to account,” Smith said.
“It is an attack on everybody when our police are subjected to this sort of violence, as they try and support a community like Nelson, wanting to simply celebrate and bring in the new year.
“There was a member of the public injured as well ... it is just so horrific when the very people tasked with the job of keeping us safe.”
Smith was “pleased” someone was in custody.
“We will want the perpetrator to be held fully accountable, not just for the attack on the individuals, but the fact that they are police officers,” he said.
“We have to make sure that this sort of violence is held to account and that we send a very clear message that it is totally unacceptable.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was devastated by news of Fleming’s death.
“Police across New Zealand do an incredible job keeping us safe and it’s heart-wrenching for an officer to lose her life carrying out that duty.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Lyn’s loved ones and colleagues and hope for the recovery of those injured.
“This is a devastating day for police and for New Zealand,” he said.
“Lyn will never be forgotten.”
Nelson locals have organised a candlelight vigil for Fleming, planned for 7pm Friday on the steps of Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson, in the central city.
Gusts of up to 50 knots are forecast over the next two days.