Policewoman's babies "rescued after death" (From Bucks Free Press)

Policewoman's babies "rescued after death"

6:18pm Saturday 11th October 2008 in

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TRAGIC policewoman Sarah Underhill was pregnant when she died – and doctors managed to rescue her twins alive, it has been reported.

PC Underhill, who patrolled Bourne End, Wooburn Green and Marlow collapsed at home in Oxfordshire and died from blood loss before the infants could be born, sources say.

The 37-year-old was 35 weeks and five days pregnant and the children, James Thomas and Hannah Louise, are said to be doing well.

Her death in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford last Sunday has sent shockwaves through the force and the communities she served.

Thames Valley Police had at the time of going to press not commented on the circumstances of her death, reported in national newspapers today.

Her father, Arnold Whapman, is reported as saying: “She couldn't wait to be a mum - she would have made a fantastic mother.”

Mr Whapman today declined to comment when approached by the Bucks Free Press.

PC Underhill’s husband, Richard, is also a police officer with the force and has appealed to be left to grieve in private.

A police source said PC Underhill joined the force in 2003 and collapsed at home in Wallingford, South Oxfordshire.

They said: “Tragically Sarah was certified dead at the hospital after apparently bleeding to death.

“Surgeons immediately operated and were able to save the twins. One of them is said to be doing well and the other is critically ill.

"The whole force is immensely upset about Sarah's death. She and Richard were very popular among their colleagues.

They said: “I have no idea how Richard is going to cope with the trauma.

“He is bound to be very badly affected by her death and is distraught, I know he is not even feeling able to receive phone calls from colleagues who want to pass on their condolences.

"Being a policeman prepares you to cope with death and tragedy but when something as close to home as this happens, you just fall apart.

"The twins were born prematurely and will no doubt be in hospital for some time before Richard can take them home.

“But in the meantime he has also got to cope with arranging a funeral for Sarah. It is all just so awful."

They said it was possible Sarah could have a "full honours" police funeral, although it was also possible that the family might want it to be private.

Her father said PC Underhill was a "outgoing, bubbly woman who couldn't wait to be a mum".

Arnold Whapman, of North Moreton, South Oxfordshire, said: “She was so outgoing and bubbly. She honestly didn't have a nasty bone in her body.

"She would go out of her way to help people. She was very altruistic.

"She once received a police commendation for saving the life of someone who had been shot. Sarah gave him CPR and saved his life.

"Normally people keep their distance - peer around the corner to check it's OK - but Sarah wasn't like that. If someone needed help she wouldn't think twice.

He said James Thomas was in intensive care and Hannah Louise was in special care baby unit.

"Sarah never thought of herself first. She was always helping people. Even from her childhood.

"She volunteered in the Red Cross as a teenager. She loved ponies - she was never happier than when she was out riding. She used to give all the kids rides.

"She had a good life. It should have gone on. She should have seen those kids grow up. It's so sad."

He said: "She was with us all at home just the day before.

"She was just like her normal self. Happy, bubbly, outgoing and so much looking forward to becoming a mum.

He said: “That's how we'll remember Sarah.”

Her sister, Gill Donkin said: "You couldn't ask for a better sister."

Flags were flying at half mast at south Bucks police stations in her memory this week.