A York police officer has been killed in a crash on the A19 today together with the driver of a car she had stopped to help.
PC Rosie Prior, a response officer based in York, had pulled over at Bagby, near Thirsk, to help road users who had been in a collision between a black Ford Focus and a silver Audi car.
As she was doing so, she was hit by a lorry.
A19 at Bagby
The HGV collided with PC Prior, the driver and the passenger from the silver Audi as they stood on the roadside verge at 8.55am.
PC Prior and the driver, Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, died at the scene.
A teenage boy from the Audi is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
The driver of the HGV, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation.
North Yorkshire Chief Constable Tim Forber paid tribute to PC Prior this evening.
“It is with profound sadness to confirm the death of PC Rosie Prior on Saturday morning who was tragically killed while helping at the scene of a separate collision on the A19 near Bagby,” he said.
“We are doing everything we can to support Rosie’s family, along with the family of a man who was also tragically killed in the incident.
“This is clearly a deeply traumatic and heartbreaking event for everyone involved and we ask that the two families are left alone to grieve in peace. They do not want any media outlets to contact or approach them.
“Rosie’s response team colleagues in York, and from around the force, are being supported at this extremely difficult time.”
Families pay tribute
PC Prior joined North Yorkshire Police as a student officer in May 2022.
Her family have described PC Prior as “a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty and will be deeply missed”.
Mr Welford’s family have issued the following statement: “Ryan was a hardworking and loving father, husband, son and brother. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”
Two air ambulances went to the scene. The road was closed for more than ten hours. It reopened reopened at around 7.20pm on Saturday.
Two cars and the HGV have been recovered. Highways have cleared debris from the road to ensure it is safe to drive.
The Major Collision Investigation Team is urging witnesses to either of the two collisions, and motorists with relevant dashcam footage, to get in touch without delay.
If you can help, please email [email protected] quoting reference number 12250006038.