Tragedy struck on the A20 near Swanley as PC Bradley Corke suffered a fatal head injury in a high-speed crash while responding to an emergency call. The 27-year-old officer died in hospital two days after the collision at the junction with Button Street, Farningham.
Catastrophic Injuries in Fatal Crash
The inquest at Oakwood House, Maidstone, revealed the young officer suffered a “catastrophic global ischemic brain injury” in the smash. Assistant coroner Sarah Clarke confirmed his cause of death as head and neck injuries.
PC Corke, from Hastings, East Sussex, also experienced cardiac arrest after the collision, known medically as pulseless electrical activity. The inquest was adjourned pending a criminal investigation.
Crash Details and Ongoing Hospital Battle
The incident happened at 7.45pm on Thursday, March 19, when PC Corke and a fellow officer were driving a marked Ford Focus to an emergency in Swanley. Their vehicle collided with a VW Scirocco, leaving the other officer seriously injured and still in the hospital.
A member of the public in the Scirocco is also receiving treatment for serious injuries. Police have launched an appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage.
Family Pays Heartbreaking Tribute
PC Corke’s family described him as a “beautiful boy cruelly taken too young” and “a true gentleman.” They praised his commitment, saying:
“Bradley was one of the finest young men ever to have walked this earth. A credit to himself, to us as parents and to all his family and friends who loved him dearly.”
“He was proud to be PC Bradley Corke, and in turn, we are proud of his dedication to the profession.”
“We are broken and will probably never recover from your loss, but we hope we can draw strength from all that you are and forever will be. We love you with every ounce of our being. Sleep tight, our most beautiful boy.”
Police Urge Public to Come Forward
Authorities continue to seek information regarding the crash. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage is urged to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference EW/AL/025/26.
Alternatively, email [email protected] or upload dashcam evidence here.
