PC Rosie Prior, 45, tragically lost her life after being struck by a lorry while assisting at the scene of an earlier crash near Thirsk. Also killed was Ryan Welford, 41, who had been involved in the initial collision. A teenage passenger remains in serious condition, while the lorry driver, 65, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Tributes pour in for PC Prior and Mr. Welford as investigations continue.
An off-duty North Yorkshire police officer has tragically died after being struck by a lorry while assisting at the scene of an earlier crash.
PC Rosie Prior, 45, was standing on the verge of the A19 near Bagby, Thirsk, alongside the driver and passenger of one of the vehicles involved in the initial collision, when the lorry hit them at 08:55 GMT on Saturday.
Ms. Prior had stopped to help Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, who had been involved in the first crash. Both Ms. Prior and Mr. Welford died at the scene.
The lorry driver, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been released under investigation.
A teenage boy who was a passenger in Mr. Welford’s car remains in serious but stable condition in hospital.
North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber expressed his profound sadness, calling the incident “deeply traumatic and heart-breaking.”
Ms. Prior, who joined the force as a student officer in May 2022, was described by her family as “a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, and aunty” who will be “deeply missed.”
Tributes have also poured in for Mr. Welford, described by his family as “a hard-working and loving father, husband, son, and brother” who will be “greatly missed.”
Local leaders, including the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, paid their respects, calling Ms. Prior “the very best of us” for her selfless actions, even while off duty.
The Police Federation and North Yorkshire Police have appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage to aid the investigation.