11
Jan
Knaresborough man and police officer killed in car crash
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A Knaresborough man and a police officer from York have been killed in a road collision today.
Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, died at the scene of the collision on the A19 at Bagby, near Thirsk.
A teenage boy from the Audi he was driving is in a serious condition in hospital.
PC Rosie Prior, a response officer based in York, also died in the incident, which occurred at about 8.55am (January 11).
North Yorkshire Police released news of the deaths in a statement at 9.22pm this evening.
It said PC Prior pulled over to help other motorists who had been in a collision between a black Ford Focus and the silver Audi driven by Mr Welford.
The statement added:
As PC Prior plus the driver and passenger from a silver Audi were stood on the verge of the road, an approaching heavy goods vehicle collided with them.
PC Prior and the driver of the Audi, Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, died at the scene. A teenage boy from the Audi is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
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.
‘A loving father, husband, son and brother’
Mr Welford’s family said in a statement:
“Ryan was a hardworking and loving father, husband, son and brother. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”
Chief Constable Tim Forber 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.
“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”.
Collision appeal
The scene of the collision reopened at around 7.20pm tonight.
Two cars and the HGV have been recovered.
The major collision investigation team is urging witnesses to either of the two collisions, and motorists with relevant dashcam footage, to get in touch without delay.
You can email mcit@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference number 12250006038.
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