A man seriously injured in the crash which killed Janet Scott was a Nottingham Community Protection Officer who had been called to help her.
Mrs Scott was killed after being hit by a car in Peel Street, Nottingham, on Monday January 29. Police said at the time a 35-year-old man had also been seriously hurt.
Officers arrested and later charged Simon Mellors, 56, of Berkeley Court, Nottingham, with the murder of Mrs Scott and attempted murder.
Nottingham City Council revealed on Wednesday the injured man was CPO Fahad Ashfaq, who had answered a call to help Mrs Scott, who had been injured earlier.
While he was helping her on the street both were struck by the car, killing Mrs Scott and leaving Mr Ashfaq with a fractured ankle, broken shin and a ruptured knee ligament.
Mr Ashfaq’s identity was revealed as the city council announced he will be awarded a Gold Commendation to recognise his actions to help Mrs Scott and the injuries he sustained in the line of duty.
Mr Ashfaq said: “I’m still trying to take in what happened – the fact the woman I was helping was killed, my own injuries and that our alleged attacker in now dead. Over the course of a day we will sometimes come across very challenging situations but nothing could have prepared me for this.
“Because of my injuries I wasn’t aware until later that the woman had been killed, so my thoughts immediately went to her family who sadly have to cope with her tragic loss. I’m now just focused on getting better and getting back to work, but I’m extremely grateful for the excellent treatment I received from the staff at Queen’s Medical Centre, and for the support I’ve been given by my colleagues.”
After his arrest and charge Mr Mellors was taken to HMP Manchester, known as Strangeways, where he died on Sunday (25 February).
A investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is ongoing. He had next been due to appear in court on March 26.
Video: Police examining the scene of the crash last month.
Mr Ashfaq’s manager, Senior Community Protection Officer Owen Williams, said: “I am very proud of Fahad and the actions he took that day. As front line officers, these are incidents which we know could theoretically happen but are so rare, we never expect to.
“Fahad is a dedicated and caring person and has been completely selfless in the aftermath of what happened. His thoughts and concerns were with the family of Mrs Scott and with his colleagues who were involved in securing the scene. I am very grateful and extremely proud of the response of the whole Community Protection team and I look forward to welcoming Fahad back to work and to seeing him commended for his bravery.”
The council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Councillor Toby Neal, said: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with those who knew and loved Janet Scott. Our thoughts are also with Fahad who suffered serious injuries and is only now starting to come to terms with what happened. He deserves the top honour we can bestow.
“Our staff in Community Protection can often be the first to arrive on the scene of serious incidents and I commend them for their bravery and professionalism. I was really impressed with the way the whole of Community Protection came together in very difficult, challenging and exceptional circumstances. They are a credit to themselves and the communities they serve.
“It is thankfully extremely rare for them to be seriously injured in the line of duty and we hope that Fahad makes a full recovery. We are providing him and his family, and colleagues who attended or were affected by the incident, with the support they need.”
