Police officer, 19, killed after being hit by vehicle while closing road

A 19-year-old police officer was fatally struck by a car while she was closing a road following a previous collision, a coroner said. Pc Jess Turnbull, [1]of Northumbria Police[2], suffered "catastrophic injuries" and died later in hospital, the opening of an inquest in Morpeth, Northumberland[3], heard. The young officer's parents, Janice and Andy - himself a former police officer - attended the brief hearing held by Coroner Andrew Hetherington.

The coroner outlined the circumstances of her death, saying that Pc Turnbull and a colleague were sent to an earlier two-vehicle collision on the A189 near Cramlington[4], at 11.11pm on Monday, 8 June. Mr Hetherington said Pc Turnbull had got out of the marked police vehicle and was implementing a road closure at around 11.34pm. She was standing in the carriageway near the front of her vehicle when another motorist collided with the parked police car, "resulting in Jess being hit", the coroner said.

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Pc Jess Turnbull, of Northumbria Police, suffered 'catastrophic injuries' and died later in hospital

Police[5] and paramedics treated her at the scene and she was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, where she died on Wednesday, 10 June.

Mr Hetherington said a post-mortem examination has been carried out. Police investigations are continuing into what happened that night, the coroner said. He adjourned the full inquest hearing to 11 January but said that may change.

Northumbria Police previously said that a 73-year-old Mercedes driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed. Pc Turnbull had only joined the force in September.

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Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine called PC Turnball a 'dedicated and committed officer who always sought to do her best to keep her communities safe' (PA)

In a tribute released after her death, her parents said: "One of Jess's proudest achievements was becoming a police officer. "She absolutely loved serving her community and was incredibly proud to wear the uniform.

"Following in the footsteps of her dad, Andy, was something she had always dreamed of doing, and seeing her achieve that ambition filled us both with immense pride.

"Policing was not just a job to Jess, it was a calling.

"She cared deeply about helping people and making a difference, and she approached every day with enthusiasm, compassion and professionalism."

References

1. ^ Pc Jess Turnbull, (www.independent.co.uk)
2. ^ Northumbria Police (www.independent.co.uk)
3. ^ Northumberland (www.independent.co.uk)
4. ^ Cramlington (www.independent.co.uk)
5. ^ Police (www.independent.co.uk)