Heartfelt tributes have poured in for a dedicated officer who tragically lost her life this morning when she was struck by a lorry, after stopping to assist at an earlier road accident. PC Rosie Prior had been attending to the aftermath of a crash involving a Ford Focus and an Audi on the A19 near Bagby in North Yorkshire.
While standing at the roadside with those involved, a heavy goods vehicle collided with the group. PC Prior perished alongside the Audi’s driver, Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough. The incident left a teenager travelling in the Audi hospitalised in a serious but stable condition.
Her grieving family have described PC Prior as “a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty and will be deeply missed”. Chief Constable Tim Forber expressed his deep sorrow, stating: “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.
READ MORE: ‘True snow hero’ praised for rescuing 999 ambulance and getting NHS staff to work
Rosie’s family have shared a heartbreaking tribute
(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
“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,” reports the Mirror.
“To say we are completely devastated would be an understatement; Rosie was not only an exemplary officer but she was a cherished and much-loved part of our police family – her response team colleagues in York, and others across the force, are receiving assistance during this incredibly trying period.”
The collision occurred around 9am today, and the affected area was cleared by 7.20pm. At approximately 7.20pm, the scene of the accident reopened, following the recovery of two cars and the HGV involved.
Ryan Welford also died on the A19 at Bagby, near Thirsk
(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
The family of Mr. Welford released a heartfelt statement, expressing their sorrow: “Ryan was a hardworking and loving father, husband, son and brother. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”
A Berwick-upon-Tweed man, aged 65 and the driver of the HGV, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and subsequently released under investigation. It is noted that PC Prior started with North Yorkshire Police as a student officer in May 2022.