Email suggested Humberside Police officer was disappointed after girl survived car crash

A FATHER has spoken of his anger at an internal police email that appeared to show a Humberside Police officer's "disappointment" after his daughter survived a car crash.

Laura Thomas was involved in a near-fatal collision that left her with a fractured skull, three broken bones in her neck and back and three brain bleeds.

Her father, Darren Thomas, said the crash happened after his daughter, who was 19 at the time, hit a rut in Fieldend Land, between Burton Pidsea and Elstronwick in East Yorkshire.

As Miss Thomas, now 22, of Bilton, was in a coma in hospital, a PC investigating the crash sent an email to another officer from the vehicle investigation branch.

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It read: "It looks like the driver will pull through, so no fatal for me to deal with yet."

However, she ended it with the commonly known "sad face" text sign :(.

The internal email came to light when Mr Thomas submitted a Freedom of Information request to view all of the documents relating to the crash.

He said: "I wanted to have a look at everything relating to the investigation and it was only then that I was made aware of this email.

"I was absolutely distraught that this officer seemed to be disappointed that my daughter would pull through and not die."

Miss Thomas: "My family and I have been through so much since the crash and it is heartbreaking for this to come to light now."

Mr Thomas lodged a formal complaint with Humberside Police asking for a full investigation into the matter. He later received a letter, which included a statement from the officer who sent the statement.

It said: "This comment was a communication that was ill-judged and sadly could easily be regarded as inappropriate, however, I feel it has been taken and read out of context.

"In the email I used :( to depict a sad face. This was to convey my sadness at not, at that time, fulfilling my professional development, and certainly not to depict any sadness to the fact that Miss Thomas was recovering."

The statement went on to say: "I am extremely upset this email was taken in a manner that has upset, distressed or offended anyone. It was certainly not intended that way.

"I would like to apologise for any upset, distress or offence this email may have caused.

"I will certainly make sure I give much more consideration to my remarks and communications and the way they could affect and be received by others."

In the same letter, a detective sergeant outlines the steps that have been taken to ensure it does not happen again.

He said: "There are lessons to be learned from this investigation for both individuals and Humberside Police.

"The officer has been spoken to about the content of her emails and a guidance and information entry has been made reminding officers to be more professional in email correspondence.

"It is clear from the detailed response provided by the officer that although she agrees the image in the email was not thought through, she understands the potential for it to be misinterpreted.

"She has, however, endeavoured to explain the reason behind the 'sad face' appearing in the email and I am satisfied with that explanation.

"She was not aware the email would ever be disclosed and thought it was a private communication."