An on-duty police officer who reportedly starred in television road series Road Wars was killed in a crash while on board his motorcycle.
Tributes have been paid to Thames Valley Police officer Pc James Dixon who died after a collision involving the motorcycle and a car on Bath Road in Wargrave, Berkshire, at about 1.50pm on Tuesday.
A 91-year-old passenger in the car also died, police confirmed.
Dozens of people posted on the force’s Facebook page to describe Pc Dixon as “one of the best”, with many saying they had watched him on the Sky 1 programme which followed the work of Thames Valley Police officers.
Mark Dunfurd wrote: “Very very sad news. Our thoughts are with both families. Today we have lost a well loved and highly thought of colleague. RIP Dixie.”
Tributes were also paid on the social media accounts of police forces across the country, while the Police Federation tweeted: “Tragic news – our thoughts and prayers are with PC Dixon’s family, friends and colleagues #PoliceFamily.”
Stephen Kavanagh, chief constable of Essex Police, tweeted: “Such sad news. On behalf of all @EssexPoliceUK our love, solidarity and support are with Pc Dixon’s family, friends and colleagues.”
Road policing units also added their voices, with Surrey Police’s describing the losses as “truly terrible news”.
Their voices were joined by others from across the emergency services.
Pc Dixon was based at Loddon Valley police station on the outskirts of Reading.
The identity of the woman who died in the incident is yet to be released.
The driver of the vehicle, a woman, was also injured in the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, police said.
A police spokesman said: “As is standard procedure, due to the fact that the incident resulted in the deaths of a member of the public and an on-duty police officer, Thames Valley Police has made a mandatory referral to the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) who have begun an investigation.”
IPCC associate commissioner Guido Liguori said: “We have been notified by Thames Valley Police of a collision on the A4 near Reading, in which, tragically, a 91-year-old woman and a police officer have died.
“My thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends and the colleagues of the officer at this very difficult time.
“IPCC investigators are attending the scene as part of an independent investigation to determine the circumstances which led to the collision.”