Kind policeman is among victims on a devastating day

Kind policeman is among victims on a devastating day

- Jon Coates and Marco Giannangeli

A BRITISH Transport Police officer, a paramedic, a police intelligence worker, a NHS admin officer, 17 care home residents, one of their carers and a lawyer were among the latest victims of COVID-19.

The deceased were among the 888 people who died of the virus announced yesterday: the fourth highest death toll since the pandemic started.

It took the total number of deaths for the UK to 15,464.

England had 784 new victims yesterday, Scotland 56, Wales 28 and Northern Ireland 17.

John Coker, 53, died on Friday night after testing positive for COVID-19.

He had worked for British Transport Police (BTP) for more than 10 years, during which time he became detective constable at London Euston’s criminal investigation department.

Paying tribute to Mr. Coker, BTP chief constable Paul Crowther said: “His colleagues remember a man who was charismatic, kind and thoughtful and took everything in his stride.

He will be greatly missed by all in the force.”