Vigils for police officer killed at crash site

Vigils have been held at several police stations paying tribute to an off-duty officer who died when she was hit by a vehicle while helping at the scene of an earlier crash.

PC Rosie Prior, 45, had stopped to help driver Ryan Welford on the verge of the A19 at Bagby, North Yorkshire, when they were struck by a lorry at about 08:55 GMT on Saturday.

Ms Prior and Mr Welford were both killed in the crash, while a teenage boy suffered serious injuries.

North Yorkshire Police colleagues gathered on Monday morning for a minute's silence to pay respects to Ms Prior, who the force said "epitomised the very best of British policing".

Chief Constable Tim Forber led a silence at the force's headquarters in Northallerton at about 10:00 GMT, alongside North Yorkshire Police's chaplain.

In a statement, Rob Bowles, chair of North Yorkshire Police Federation, said PC Prior had "truly exemplified public service" and was a "credit" to the force.

"In the best tradition of British policing, Rosie stopped to assist a member of the public," he said.

"She was, in short, the best of us and she will be missed by everyone. Our heartfelt thoughts are with her family."

Ms Prior joined North Yorkshire Police as a student officer in May 2022 because she "wanted to help people", he added.

Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative MP for Wetherby and Easingwold, said PC Prior's colleagues and neighbours were in shock following the news.

"Knowing she was off-duty when she stopped to help someone in need, thereby putting herself on-duty to assist, shows how Rosie was the ultimate public servant," he said.

"In time, I know the force will want to make a lasting tribute to her service in our communities."

PC Prior had earlier been described by her family as "a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister and aunty", who would be "deeply missed".

Outside of work, PC Prior was also a keen runner and regularly joined in with the Millfield Parkrun.

Members of the team said they were "devastated" by the news of her death and shared their thoughts with Ms Prior's family.

Paying tribute to Mr Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, his family said he had been a "hard-working and loving father, husband, son and brother".

"He will be greatly missed by his family and friends," they said in a statement.

Mr Welford had been driving a silver Audi on the A19 on Saturday morning, when he was involved in a separate crash with a black Ford Focus, according to police.

Following that crash, while stood at the verge of the road with his passenger - a teenage boy - and PC Prior, who had stopped to help, they were all hit by an HGV.

A 65-year-old lorry driver from Berwick-upon-Tweed was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was released under investigation.

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