Absolutely devastating news. RIP 🙏🏼💙 

A York police officer and a man died after being hit by a lorry on the A19 in North Yorkshire.

PC Rosie Prior and Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, were pronounced dead at the scene after the crash near Bagby, southeast of Thirsk, at about 8.55am on Saturday morning (January 11).

The road was closed in both directions after the crash and reopened at 7.20pm.

North Yorkshire Police said PC Prior, a response officer based in York, pulled over to help other motorists who had been in an earlier, separate crash which involved a black Ford Focus and silver Audi car.

PC Prior along with Mr Welford, the driver of the Audi, and a passenger from the Audi were stood on the verge of the road when they were hit by an approaching heavy goods vehicle (HGV), the force said.

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

Police said 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 Police’s Chief Constable Tim Forber said the force is doing “everything we can” to support the families of PC Prior and Mr Welford.”

“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,” he said.

“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.”

PC Prior joined North Yorkshire Police as a student officer in May 2022.

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

Mr Welford’s family described him as 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 released by North Yorkshire Police.

The two cars and HGV have been recovered and the road has been cleared of debris.

North Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Investigation Team is urging witnesses to either of the two crashes, and motorists with relevant dashcam footage, to get in touch.

“If you can help, please email mcit@northyorkshire.police.uk quoting reference number 12250006038,” a force spokesperson said.

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