Tributes have been flooding in for PC Rosie Prior who was off-duty when she stopped her car to help people after a crash between a Ford Focus and an Audi just before 9am.
Tragically, as PC Prior stood at the side of the road with the driver of the Audi, Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, they were hit by a HGV.
(Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE) Both PC Prior and Ryan died at the scene – and a teenage boy from the Audi is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
The 65-year-old HGV driver, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but has been released under investigation.
North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber this afternoon made a heartfelt statement outside Fulford Road Police Station in York to pay tribute to Rosie, who he described as “the very best of British policing”.
(Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE) He said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the many messages of condolence that we’ve had in from the community across North Yorkshire.
“My thoughts and the thoughts of the force are also with the family of Ryan Welford, who also tragically died in the same incident.
“Rosie had been a police officer in North Yorkshire Police for two and a half years, she was a response officer based here in the city of York. She joined the police because she wanted to help people.
(Image: Danny Lawson) “Yesterday morning, she wasn’t on duty on a shift, she was off duty, and she came across the road traffic collision on the A19 and she stopped to help. She got out and like many police officers up and down the country put herself on duty.
“And it was whilst dealing with that incident that she was tragically killed. Rosie epitomises the very best of British policing, she put the safety of others before her own safety.”
(Image: Danny Lawson) David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire and Jo Coles, deputy mayor of policing, fire and crime, said today they were “devastated”.
Their statement read: “Our hearts are broken for them and their families. Rosie’s commitment to serving the public, even when off duty, shows she was the very best of us.
“Our thoughts are also with the entire North Yorkshire Police family, who we know will be deeply mourning their colleague.
“We especially want to thank officers and staff who worked at the scene and are supporting those affected by this tragedy.”
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PC Prior’s family said that she was “a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty and will be deeply missed”.
The family of Ryan Welford’s family paid tribute to their son, saying: “Ryan was a hardworking and loving father, husband, son and brother.
“He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”