A police officer has died following an incident on the A249 at the junction with the A2 near Sittingbourne shortly after 8am on Sunday 14 June.
PC Philip Pratt, aged 26, was injured by a vehicle as he attempted to introduce diversions at the scene of an earlier accident. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being flown to The Royal London hospital in Whitechapel by air ambulance. He was pronounced dead at the hospital a short while later.
At the original accident on the A249, a woman had to be cut free from her car after it overturned on the carriageway.
Tribute to exceptional officer
The Chief Constable of Kent, Michael Fuller, said ‘PC Pratt was a dedicated officer who devoted years to serving the people of Kent. He worked as a civilian employee and a special constable before becoming a full-time officer in 2007. His enthusiasm and ability won him praise from colleagues and members of the public. He will be fondly remembered and will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy is with his family and friends at this tragic time.’
I am sure that the Ruralshire response teams will read about this death and empathise deeply. On F Division, we have a mother of a dual carriageway leading to Metrocity and it is dangerous as hell.
Thoughts with his family, friends and colleagues.
Rest in Peace PC Pratt.
needless waste of a life
RIP
R.I.P.
R.I.P. Thoughts go to all that were close to you
RIP, my brother.
Sincerest condolencies to family, friends and colleagues.
RIP; I hope everyone is that little more vigilant and cautious when operating on the roads now.
MP
Thoughts and Condolences with his family, crewmates and colleagues.
My thoughts go out to the family and friends of Phil. My thoughts are also with everyone on Swale division at this difficult time.
RIP Phil
RIP brother.
My deepest sympathy to his colleagues, friends and family, such a waste of a good life.
RIP Officer.
Thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues.
Rest in Peace my fellow officer.
Both my sons aged 27 and 24 ,respectively, are Police Officers. Every day I say a prayer for them and their safe return from work.
Tragedies such as the loss of this young man’s life simply serve to highlight the dangers officers face on a daily basis, even when ‘just’ dealing with an accident.
Rest in Peace Phill. My heartfelt condoloences to your family,friends and colleagues and to Kent Police.
And another one……
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/8098002.stm
Everytime I hear of another Police Officer killed it saddens my soul.
So sad.
RIP Brother.
Rest in peace- bro…
RIP, PC Pratt. Another great loss.
Deepest sympathies to his family and colleagues.
R.I.P.
Goodnight young’un. Sleep soundly.
R.I.P.
Thanks to you and your brother officers for always trying to keep others safe.
Here in LaLa Land, it too, is dangerous on the Freeways. If ye have a flat , keep on driving, the price of a tire is not worth the lives fixing a flat, as hi speed crashes are the norm,
A tragedy, so very sad.
Waste of a young life.
RIP
Rest peacefully brother, sleep soundly knowing you’ll be survived by friends and family who cherish you.
This is tragic. RIP PC Pratt.
I’m so sorry. RIP.
RIP.
In my last year in the job I served in Traffic Division. I’d worked with them for years in Tac Firearms (ARV’s) but never actually served as a Black Rat. I learnt that what I’d previously thought were the most dangerous things I’d done, paled when compared to policing motorways and trunk road RTA’s. My respects to the man of Kent.
His life is sacrificed in the line of duty. Good officers perform their duties by sacrificing their lives.
Thoughts are with Philip’s family and colleagues.
I echo those comments already posted.
I didnt see it in mainstream media though.
Again, a tragic loss of a fellow officer.
As thespecialone points out it’s unlikey to make the headlines in our fair and unbiased national press…
Unlike the tale about the Notts officer who dared to deploy his Taser to control a violent and aggressive male.
R.I.P Philip, my thoughts are with your family, friends and colleagues.
One of the most dangerous things we do, frequently underestimated. We all know someone who has been hit or come close.
RIP.
A terrible loss.
It brings it all home, everytime. Every time something like this happens, it brings home the enormity of what we do … each entitled to get home, breathe deeply, drink a cold beer and thank our lucky stars it isn’t our family who has to go through this.
My thoughts are with Phillip’s family, they should be proud of young man who stepped up to do his bit. So many people wouldn’t have dared.
R.I.P.
IT brings tears to my eyes everytime I read about a fellow officer not making it home from what we all class as a days work.
My heart felt sympathies to all involved and expecially the lads family. RIP.
Terrible Loss. RIP.
Damn shame, and sympathies to the poor chap\’s colleagues and family.
As thespecialone points out, there was little if any mention in the mainstream media. This is what they were doing instead:
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6509677.ece
I have now dropped the Times from my Bookmarks, and suggest that everyone else takes their eyeballs, and advertising potential, elsewhere.
RIP
So young, with so much to give. Tragic.
What happened to P.C.Toms?
RIP brother officer. you died doing your duty and for that we salute you.
here is a poem that has sustained me through loss before.
if i should die, think only this of me. that theres some corner of a foreign field that is forever England.
And there shall be in that rich earth, a richer dust concealed.
A dust whom england bore, shaped, made aware, gave once her flowers to love, her ways to roam
A body of Englands breathing english air, washed by the rivers, blessed by sons of home.
And think this heart, all evil shed away, a pulse in the eternal mind no less
gives somewhere back the thoughts by england given.
her sights and sounds, dreams happy as her daym
and laughter learnt of friends, and gentleness in hearts at peace.
under an english heaven.
The Soldier by Rupert Brooke 1914.
night god bless.
I had the great pleasure to work with Phill and can say he really was a smashing bloke. He had always wanted to be a copper and had worked as a Control room operator and special constable before joining the regulars.
He was a big bloke with a big heart who was always willing to help you out. His trademark smile never seemed to leave him.
He will be sorely missed by us all but especially by Debbie and his boys.
Rest in peace Phill.
ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG REST IN PEACE
I DIDNT KNOW YOU PERSONALLY BUT READING THE PREVIOUS COMMENTS YOU WERE VERY MUCH LOVED AN WILL BE SO SADLY MISSED.
GOD BLESS PHIL
RIP