Sunbather killed by police vehicle on beach

LOS ANGELES - A woman sunbathing on a California beach was accidentally run over and killed by a police vehicle on routine beach patrol, police said on today.

Cindy Conolly, 49, who was visiting Oxnard, about 80km north-west of Los Angeles, was sunbathing alone on Monday local time on the beach near her hotel just below a 70cm high ridge of sand.

Police said that two officers in a sports utility vehicle stopped on top of the ridge to observe a swimmer who seemed to be in distress. When they pulled forward they ran over Conolly without realising it and drove off.

Another woman on the beach, who witnessed the accident, called emergency services.

Conolly died instantly from head injuries.

"She was below them and they just did not see her, nor did they feel any disruption as they continued on their patrol, " said Oxnard Police Chief John Crombach, calling the death a "tragic accident".

Crombach said the officers involved, who have been put on paid leave while the incident is investigated, were "absolutely devastated".

Police and lifeguards regularly cruise the wide sand beaches of southern California looking for swimmers in distress and for illegal campers or drug and alcohol use.

Conolly was visiting from Iowa for the wedding of her son.

- REUTERS