Pc Jess Turnbull, 19, dies after being hit by car on duty

Pc Jess Turnbull was responding to a collision which occurred on the A189 Spine Road in Cramlington at about 11.10pm on Monday (June 8). While at the scene, she was outside of a marked police car when she was struck by a black Mercedes CLC, which was unconnected to the original incident. Northumbria Police said Pc Turnbull died in hospital on Wednesday (June 10), surrounded by her loved ones.

Pc Turnbull, who joined the force in September last year, worked on the Response Policing Team (RPT) in Northumberland. Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: "This is an extremely tragic incident where Jess lost her life in the line of duty while serving and protecting our communities. "Our thoughts very much continue to be with her family, friends and all those who have been impacted by this devastating loss.

"We will continue to support her loved ones in any way we can. "Policing is a family, and we are mourning the passing of not only a colleague and a friend but also our own family member, and we will continue to support each other during this extremely difficult time. "Jess was relatively new in service, with so much still to look forward to in her career and life.

"She was a dedicated and committed officer who always sought to do her best to keep her communities safe. "Every single day, police officers up and down the country face danger to protect the public. "Thankfully, most go home.

Tragically, on this occasion, Jess did not. I am grateful to all those who wear the uniform with pride to keep us all safe. "Jess made the ultimate sacrifice, and that will never be forgotten."

Police said a 73-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving was taken to the hospital and has since been released. He has subsequently been further arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed. Police have appealed for witnesses or people with dashcam footage to come forward.

People have been urged not to leave floral tributes to the officer at the scene of the crash for safety reasons. Members of the public who wish to pay tribute with flowers have been asked to do so at the force headquarters in Middle Engine Lane, Wallsend. The officer's family has asked for privacy.

Pc Turnbull was responding to a collision involving two cars, with the occupants of one of the vehicles fleeing the scene.

It was understood Pc Turnbull was the first Northumbria Police officer to be killed on duty since 2006, when Pc Joseph Carroll was fatally injured in a collision caused by a prisoner he was transporting pulling the handbrake on his car.