Appeal over crash that preceded PC's death

North Yorkshire Police have renewed their appeal for information about a collision which happened shortly before a serving officer and a member of the public were killed by a lorry.

PC Rosie Prior and Ryan Welford died on the A19 near Thirsk on Saturday morning, after the off-duty constable had stopped to help when Mr Welford's silver Audi had been involved in a collision with a black Ford Focus around 10 minutes before.

PC Prior, Mr Welford and a teenage boy who had been a passenger in Mr Welford's car were all struck by an HGV at around 08:55 GMT while stood on the roadside.

The teenager is in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The force has asked for any further witnesses who saw the first incident and have not yet come forward to get in touch.

Det Insp Jill Cowling 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."

Vigils were held at police stations across the region on Monday in memory of 45-year-old PC Prior from Easingwold, who joined the force as a student officer in 2022.

Mr Welford, who was 41 and from Knaresborough, was described as a "hard-working and loving father, husband, son and brother" by his family.

The HGV driver, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and later released under investigation.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.