A Moray police officer who ran over a child has been let off the hook by the force’s independent watchdog body.
An 11-year-old girl was left in a serious condition in hospital after being struck by a police van in Elgin at the end of last month.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) promptly launched a probe into the incident, to see if the male officer involved was at fault for the collision.
But the organisation has now decided that the local force has nothing to answer for, after harvesting several eyewitness testimonies.
A Pirc spokesman said: “Following an examination of independent witness statements, we have determined there is no need for any further inquiries to be made in relation to this incident.
“The commissioner has been in contact with the family to keep them informed.”
The incident took place at 6.50pm on Saturday, November 26, on the A941 Lossiemouth road.
The officer was carrying out routine patrols at the time, on a stretch of road with a 40mph limit.
The marked van struck the girl near the junction with Gray’s Walk and yards north of the playground on Nelson Square.
The Seafield Primary School pupil was taken to the town’s Dr Gray’s Hospital immediately, and later airlifted to Aberdeen with “serious” injuries.
But two days later, her parents said she was “out of bed” and on the mend.
They said: “Our 11-year-old daughter is now in a stable condition and is up and moving and out of bed.
“We appreciate all the good wishes and support from everyone and the most important thing for us right now is to concentrate on our little girl’s recovery.”
Elgin City North councillor, Patsy Gowans, said she hoped the conclusion of the Pirc investigation would help bring the family some closure.
She said: “The bottom line is that the girl now seems to be doing better.
“People are relieved about that, and I’m sure they will welcome the end of the inquiry into the incident and respect its findings.
“We all just hope she continues to improve.”