PC Rosie Prior was killed when she was helping motorists (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
The police force is in mourning after PC Rosie Prior was tragically killed this morning when she was struck by a on the A19 at Bagby, North Yorkshire. The dedicated had stopped to assist motorists involved in an earlier collision between a Ford Focus and an Audi when the horrific incident occurred.
She was standing at the with the occupants of the when they were hit by the HGV. Both PC Prior and the Audi’s driver, 41 year old Ryan Welford from Knaresborough, died at the scene, while a teenage boy from the Audi is currently in in a serious but
PC Prior’s family has released a heart-wrenching tribute, describing her 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.
“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.
Ryan Welford also died on the A19 during the horrific collision (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
“Rosie’s response team colleagues in York, and from around the force, are being supported at this extremely difficult time,” reports
The tragic incident unfolded at around 9am today, with the area being cordoned off until 7.20pm when the scene was finally cleared. The collision site reopened at approximately 7.20pm following the recovery of two cars and the HGV involved. In a heart-wrenching statement, Mr Welford’s family shared: “Ryan was a hardworking and loving father, husband, son and brother. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”
Meanwhile, the driver of the HGV, a 65 year old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, has been apprehended on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and subsequently released under investigation. PC Prior, who joined North Yorkshire Police as a student officer in May 2022, was also involved in the case.
PC Rosie Prior died on the A19 at Bagby, near Thirsk (Image: North Yorkshire Police)