THE family of a seriously injured woman police officer remain at her hospital bedside following a road crash.

Nina Whitehead and colleague Chris Taylor were on their way to another accident when their car was in collision with a white van in Keston, Bromley, last Thursday.

PC Whitehead suffered a punctured lung, broken pelvis in three places, broken leg in three places, fractured shoulder and broken ribs.

Firefighters spent more than an hour cutting the 30-year-old from the wreckage at the junction of Heathfield Road and Westerham Road.

She was taken to hospital by ambulance because it was too windy for the air ambulance to fly, as gusts reached 80mph.

PC Taylor, 29, was also taken to the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, with a punctured lung and broken ribs, but was released on Monday.

A police spokesman could not confirm whether the car’s siren and lights were on, but said traffic officers would consider whether weather conditions were a factor.

He added an investigation had been launched by Bromley police professional standards department as a matter of course.

Borough commander Ch Supt Martin Greenslade said: “All our thoughts are with the officers and their families at this time.”

Ch Insp Ian Gallehawk said: “These officers were doing their best to serve the public of Bromley and I am once again reminded of the dangers which my officers face on a daily basis.

“I am relieved the driver of the other vehicle escaped this collision without serious injury.

“I am also pleased both officers are progressing as well as can be expected at this stage. I would also like to thank the London Ambulance and London Fire Brigade crews, who provided prompt, professional and invaluable assistance to everyone involved in this collision.”

The driver of the white van was taken to hospital with minor injuries as a precaution, but discharged the same day.

The officers were responding to an accident on Thursday last week at 7.40am in Prince Imperial Road, Chislehurst, in which two cars collided with a digger, causing minor injuries to the passengers.

Witnesses should call Det Con Clint Jackson on 020 8785 851.

Police are keen to talk to the driver of a bus parked in Heathfield Road near the scene of the accident.