A Northumberland lorry driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after two deaths at a crash scene on the A19, one of whom was a police officer.
North Yorkshire Police Constable Rosie Prior was standing on the verge of the A19 at Bagby, near Thirsk, on Saturday morning when she and two others were struck by a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) just before 9am. The HGV was being driven by a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, who has been arrested and since released under investigation.
PC Prior and Ryan Welford, a 41-year-old 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.
PC Prior joined the force as a student police officer in May 2022 and her 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”.
PC Prior joined the force in 2022.
(Image: PA)
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.”
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.”
Ryan Welford, who also died, had been involved in the first collision.
(Image: PA)
David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire and Jo Coles, deputy mayor of policing, fire and crime, said 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.”
The scene of the collision reopened at around 7.20pm on Saturday. Two cars and the lorry have been recovered and debris have been cleared. The Major Collision Investigation team is urging witnesses to the collisions and motorists with relevant dashcam footage to get in touch.
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