Police are desperate to know what happened ’10 minutes before’ one of their officers and a Knaresborough man were killed when they were hit by a HGV.
North Yorkshire Police’s PC Rosie Prior and Ryan Welford, 41, died on the A19 on Saturday, January 11. There were two crashes, and they died in the second crash after behing hit by a HGV while stood on the roadside.
Initially, there was a crash which involved a silver Audi A4 and a black Ford Focus at about 8.45am. PC Prior had stopped at the scene to help. Shortly afterwards, PC Prior, Ryan Welford and a boy passenger from Ryan’s vehicle, were tragically struck at the roadside by a heavy goods vehicle. Rosie and Ryan were pronounced dead at scene. The boy was rushed to hospital where he remains seriously injured.
The driver of the HGV, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation.
Ryan Welford killed in A19 crash
A force spokesperson said: “Officers investigating the fatal collision on the A19 near Thirsk in which two people died have renewed their appeal for information about the first collision that happened about 10 minutes before.”
Police want anyone with new information or dashcam footage to come forward.
DI Jill Cowling from the Major Collision investigation Team said: “Our thoughts remain with the families of Rosie and Ryan and we are doing all we can to support them at this incredibly difficult time. A thorough and complex investigation is underway and any information no matter how small is helpful.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident including those who may have only seen the initial collision involving the Focus and the Audi. If you saw what happened or have any information at all that could assist our enquiries, please get in touch.”
Anyone with new information or dashcam footage has been asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 12250006038.
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