Moped rider Darren Doolan recovers after police car crash

Published: 25th February, 2011
by PETER GRUNER

POLICE are investigating a road accident involving the nephew of Islington Labour councillor Gary Doolan.

Postal worker Darren Doolan, 27, suffered serious  head and leg injuries when he was hit by an unmarked police car as he rode his moped to Mount Pleasant Sorting Office in Finsbury. He was thrown from his bike in a collision with a black Vauxhall Zafira in Caledonian Road, near the junction with Wynford Road,  King’s Cross, at 5.35am last Wednesday.

Darren, a former pupil at Brecknock Primary and Holloway School, left hospital yesterday (Thursday) and will be living with family on the York Way estate, off Market Road, Holloway, while he recuperates.

The driver of the police car, a member of British Transport Police, was believed to be on a routine patrol and not answering a 999 call.

He has been suspended from driving duties pending the outcome of the investigation. The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Cllr Doolan, a trade union activist who represents St Peter’s ward, said his nephew was making a slow recovery at home but would not be going out for at least two months.

“I can’t talk about the circumstances of the incident because of the investigation,” Cllr Doolan said. “But Darren is lucky to be alive. We hope he makes a full recovery.” 

Darren’s brother, Lee Doolan, said: “Everyone rallied round after the accident and on behalf of the family I’d like to thank people for their support. It’s going to be a long, slow period of recovery for Darren. “  

Darren underwent an operation to insert a metal rod into his thigh bone at Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, and is due to have another operation on his skull next week.

Lee added: “He’s mainly concerned that he will be well enough to go to his beloved Arsenal as usual.”

The Metropolitan Police’s Traffic Serious Case Unit is examining the circumstances around the crash while the IPCC considers whether to launch a full-scale investigation.