A “loving” police officer who died after being struck by an HGV was off duty when she stopped to help at an earlier collision, it has emerged.
Police Constable Rosie Prior, a mum of two young boys described as “the best of us”, and a male motorist, were both killed on Saturday. The officer was standing on a verge when she was struck by an HGV near Thirsk in North Yorkshire. North Yorkshire Police have confirmed she was not on duty that day. But as police officers can, she put herself on duty to assist the people involved in the initial collision.
Labour MP Alison Hume, who represents Scarborough and Whitby, posted on Facebook: “I was very sad to learn about this traffic accident and the deaths of a police officer and motorist in North Yorkshire. PC Rosie Prior was off duty when she stopped at the scene of a collision, placing herself on duty, when she was hit by an HGV.
PC Prior was standing on a verge in Thirsk when she was hit by the HGV
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Police Constable Rosie Prior was a “highly regarded” PC
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“I’ve been made aware of how highly Rosie was regarded in the force and know she’ll be dreadfully missed not only by her family but also her colleagues and the community of North Yorkshire.” The North Yorkshire Police Constable was standing on the verge near the town of Thirsk, on Saturday morning when she and two others were struck by an HGV just before 9am.
Pc Prior and Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, who had been involved in the first collision, both died at the scene. A teenage boy who was a passenger in Mr Welford’s car was also struck and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. The driver of the HGV, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving on the A19 at Bagby.
He has been released under investigation, North Yorkshire Police said. Pc Prior’s family described her as “a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty” who will be “deeply missed”. Chief Constable Tim Forber paid tribute to the officer, confirming her death with “profound sadness”.
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 heart-breaking event for everyone involved.” David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire and Jo Coles, deputy mayor of policing, fire and crime, said they were “devastated”.
Ryan Welford also died in the horror smash
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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.” The force said Pc Prior joined North Yorkshire Police as a student officer in May 2022. Mr Welford’s family said: “Ryan was a hardworking and loving father, husband, son and brother.
“He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.” The scene of the collision reopened at around 7.20pm on Saturday. Two cars and the lorry have been recovered and debris has been cleared. The Major Collision Investigation team is urging witnesses to the collisions and motorists with relevant dashcam footage to get in touch without delay.
The Police Federation of England & Wales offered its “deepest condolences” to the family and friends of Pc Rosie Prior and Ryan Welford. Acting national chairwoman Tiff Lynch said: “It is with immense grief and sorrow that the Police Federation of England and Wales offers its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the two persons, including Pc Rosie Prior, who were killed in a tragic collision on A19.
“We are assisting North Yorkshire Police Federation in offering every possible support to Pc Prior’s loved ones.”