Police officer, 19, dead after horror collision while on duty as man arrested

PC Jess Turnbull has tragically died following after she was struck by a Mercedes while attending a crash on the A189 in Northumberland

12:15, 11 Jun 2026Updated 12:57, 11 Jun 2026

A 19-year-old police officer has tragically died in the line of duty after she was struck by a Mercedes in a horrific crash while attending another collision in Northumberland.

PC Jess Turnbull, who only joined Northumberland Police in September, was rushed to hospital where she was in a critical condition following the crash on the A189 in Cramlington. The force has now said she has died in hospital surrounded by her loved ones.

Officers were called to the scene on the A189 at around 11.10pm on Tuesday night. While officers were at the scene, a Black Mercedes[1] struck PC Turnbull as she was stood outside a police car.

The scene after PC Jess Turnbull was struck on the A189 in Cramlington(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

The driver of the Mercedes - a 73-year-old man - was arrested following the incident but then discharged.

He has now been re-arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail.

Chief Cons Jardine today said the force was in mourning, as she paid tribute to PC Turnbull, who worked as a response officer in Northumberland, Chronicle Live reports[2].

She said: "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.

A police cordon was in place over the A189(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

"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'm grateful to all those who wear the uniform with pride to keep us all safe.

Jess made the ultimate sacrifice and will never be forgotten."

Today the flag at Northumbria Police's headquarters, in Wallsend, was flying at half mast.

In a statement, Northumbria Police[3] said: "PC Jess Turnbull was responding to a collision which occurred on the A189 Spine Road in Cramlington at about 11.10pm on Monday.

"While at the scene, she was outside of a marked police vehicle when she was struck by a black Mercedes CLC which was unconnected to the original incident.

Jess was taken to hospital where yesterday, surrounded by her loved ones, she sadly died."Jess, who was 19, joined the Force in September last year and worked on the response policing team in Northumberland."Our thoughts very much remain with her family and those impacted by this devastating loss."

References

1. ^ Mercedes (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ Chronicle Live reports (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Northumbria Police (www.mirror.co.uk)