A police officer died after the unexpected happened: a pheasant flew into him on the road, causing him to crash his motorcycle on the way home from work, an inquest heard.
PC Kevin Flint, 52, a Thames Valley Police officer based in Chesham, was on his way home on January 15, when he encountered the bird, according to the BBC.
“He was traveling on the road and something completely unpredictable happened with the consequence that he lost control of his machine and consequently went across to the lay-by and struck a hard unforgiving object,” Deputy coroner Graham Danbury said, according to the BBC.
PC Kevin Flint, 52, was driving his green Triumph Trophy at around 4pm on January 15 when two pheasants flew across the road, Hertfordshire Coroner’s Court heard. https://t.co/Sy9wdc182q
— Police Alerts UK (@PoliceAlertsUk) April 19, 2019
He said PC Flint was driving his “green Triumph Trophy” when two pheasants flew across the road. One bird struck him in the “upper chest or throat,” which caused his motorcycle to collide with a vehicle on the side of the road, the inquest heard.
Danbury added that while PC Flint was traveling at around 85mph, his speed wasn’t considered a cause of his crash.
Chief Superintendent Steve Williams confirmed PC Flint’s death.
“It is with great sadness that I confirm the tragic death of serving Thames Valley Police officer, PC Kevin Flint,” he said, according to the Mirror. “PC Flint, a neighborhood officer based at Chesham, died whilst off-duty, traveling home from work yesterday evening.
It is with great sadness that we confirm the tragic death of serving Thames Valley Police officer, PC Kevin Flint.
A neighbourhood officer based at Chesham, PC Flint died whilst off-duty, travelling home from work on Tuesday afternoon.https://t.co/4l6tqgdlns pic.twitter.com/0qKvpghaxx— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) January 16, 2019
“PC Flint’s personal motorcycle was involved in a collision with a stationary vehicle on the northbound A41 near Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, just after 4pm,” he continued. “The collision is being investigated by the Joint Protective Services of the Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Constabularies and Bedfordshire Police.
“PC Flint’s next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them, as well as his friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time.”
PC Kevin Flint died in pheasant strike crash https://t.co/l0XxvoE6Qt
— BBC Look East (@BBCLookEast) April 18, 2019
PC Flint didn’t have any alcohol or drugs in his system, a post-mortem investigation discovered, according to the BBC.
In a tribute, his family described him as a “lifelong, passionate, highly-experienced motorcyclist.” PC Flint had been with the the police force for 27 years, beginning his career in Chesham, but also spent time in Prestwood, Amersham, and Taplow, according to the BBC.
His partner on the force, Lynn McGill, told the BBC that PC Flint’s “passion was to be with the local community where he could work face-to-face talking to the public and making a positive difference in people’s lives.”
Hundreds paid their respects to PC Kevin Flint at his funeral yesterday.
As is fitting on such an occasion, an impeccable Guard of Honour was held as the funeral cortège arrived at the crematorium.
His family has thanked everyone who attended. pic.twitter.com/OxjMfzO9pa
— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) February 8, 2019
His brother, Derek, described him as “an old school copper.” He also added that PC Flint was “a real people person.”
While he trained as a firearms officer, he decided to return to Chesham to do neighborhood policing as a police constable so he could work directly with the local community he loved, his family told the BBC.
“He got ultimate respect from his colleagues and the community and obviously made a lot of friends along the way,” his brother said.
People from the community took to social media to post their condolences about PC Flint’s passing.
One person commented on the Rewards for Police Facebook post, “John and I are very sad to hear of the news of a good friend, Kevin. He was a good friend to us and a work colleague.” She ended her message with, “RIP Kevin.”
Others also expressed their condolences for the family.
PC Kevin Flint, a Thames Valley Police officer based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, died on his way home from work on…
Posted by Rewards For Police on Wednesday, January 16, 2019
