Tributes for ‘loving’ police officer killed in double tragedy alongside motorist after being struck by lorry at scene of highway crash
A ‘loving’ police officer was killed by an HGV lorry after she stopped to help motorists at the scene of a crash.
PC Rosie Prior had been assisting two people from an earlier collision on the verge of the A19 at Bagby near Thirsk when the vehicle struck her.
She died at the scene along with 41-year-old Ryan Welford who had been involved in the first crash.
A 65-year-old lorry driver from Berwick-upon-Tweed was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but has since been released under investigation.
The passenger in Mr Welford’s car, a teenage boy, is in hospital and remains in a serious but stable condition.
North Yorkshire Chief Constable Tim Forber said it was ‘profound sadness’ that he could confirm the death of PC Rose Prior.
He added: ‘This is clearly a deeply traumatic and heart-breaking event for everyone involved.’
Ms Prior joined North Yorkshire Police as a student officer in May 2022.
PC Rosie Prior had been assisting two people from an earlier collision on the verge of the A19 at Bagby near Thirsk when the vehicle struck her
Her family described her as ‘a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty’ and said she would be ‘deeply missed’
Mr Welford’s family said he was a ‘hard-working and loving father, husband, son and brother’ and that he would be ‘greatly missed by his family and friends’
Her family described her as ‘a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty’ and said she would be ‘deeply missed’.
Mr Welford’s family said he was a ‘hard-working and loving father, husband, son and brother’ and that he would be ‘greatly missed by his family and friends’.
The Bishop of Kirkstall, the Right Reverend Arun Arora, paid tribute to PC Prior and Mr Welford, from Knaresborough, saying their friends and family were in his thoughts.
He told BBC Radio York: ‘They will be in our prayers and our condolences to them at this time.’
The fatal collision took place at 8.55am on Saturday morning with the scene re-opening by around 7.20pm.
Two cars and the lorry have been recovered and the surrounding roads have had debris cleared.
Police are urging witnesses to either of the two collisions and motorists with relevant dashcam footage to get in touch without delay.
