Tragedy as police officer & man killed after being hit by lorry while stopping to help people involved in crash on A19

A POLICE officer and motorist were both killed after being hit by a lorry in North Yorkshire.

PC Rosie Prior - a response officer in York - had pulled over to help other motorists following an earlier crash when she was killed on the A19 at Bagby on Saturday morning.

Another driver, Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, was also killed as he stood on a verge when the HGV struck him and PC Prior.

Both died at the scene.

The earlier crash had involved a black Ford Focus and a silver Audi car - the latter was being driven by Mr Welford.

PC Prior pulled over on the A-road near Thirsk at around 8.55am to assist when tragedy struck.

A teenage boy from the Audi is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

The driver of the HGV, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He has been released under investigation.

North Yorkshire Chief Constable Tim Forber said: “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.

“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.

"They do not want any media outlets to contact or approach them.

“Rosie’s response team colleagues in York, and from around the force, are being supported at this extremely difficult time.”

Her family have described PC Prior as “a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty and will be deeply missed”.

She 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."

Have you been affected by this incident? Email ryan.merrifield@mcb777.fun