10-minutes before A19 tragedy: Missing details before PC Rosie Prior and Ryan Welford killed by HGV
An appeal has been launched to find out what happened 10 minutes before a tragedy on the A19[1]. North Yorkshire[2] Police's PC Rosie Prior and Ryan Welford, 41, died on the motorway, near Thirsk, on Saturday, January 11. There were two crashes, and they died in the second crash after being hit by a HGV while stood on the roadside.
The initial crash involved a silver Audi A4 and a black Ford Focus at about 8.45am. PC Prior had stopped at the scene to help. Shortly afterwards, PC Prior, Ryan Welford and a boy passenger from Ryan's vehicle, were tragically struck at the roadside by a heavy goods vehicle.
Rosie and Ryan were pronounced dead at scene. The boy was rushed to hospital where he remains seriously injured. The driver of the HGV, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
He has been released under investigation.
North Yorkshire Police Constable Rosie Prior died - and flowers left at the sceneA force spokesperson said: "Officers investigating the fatal collision on the A19 near Thirsk in which two people died have renewed their appeal for information about the first collision that happened about 10 minutes before." Police want anyone with new information or dashcam footage to come forward. DI Jill Cowling from the Major Collision investigation Team 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. If you saw what happened or have any information at all that could assist our enquiries, please get in touch." Anyone with new information or dashcam footage has been asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 12250006038.
'Deeply traumatic and heartbreaking event'
North Yorkshire Police's Chief Constable Tim Forber paid tribute to PC Prior - a response officer based in York.
He said: "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.
"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 have described PC Prior as "a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty and will be deeply missed". Mr Welford's family have issued the following statement and photograph: "Ryan was a hardworking and loving father, husband, son and brother.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends."
Join Teesside Live's WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Teesside Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community. Through the app, we'll send you the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone. To join our community group, you need to already have WhatsApp.
All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'[3]. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Teesside Live[4] team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice[5].
Click here to join our WhatsApp community[6].
References
- ^ A19 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ North Yorkshire (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community' (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)