FATAL CRASH 

Cop, 19, dies after being hit by car while attending crash – as pensioner, 73, arrested

A ROOKIE cop who landed her dream role just last year was killed after stopping at a suspicious road smash.

Cops have arrested a pensioner after Jess Turnbull, 19, was killed while attending a crash on a busy A-road in Cramlington, Northumberland.

Jess Turnbull, 19, had been attending a crash on a busy A-road when she was fatally struck
 

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Cops have arrested a pensioner in connection with the crashCredit: NNP
Jess joined Northumbria Police last September and became a front line response officer.

But on Monday night, the teenager was hit by a black Mercedes car while standing next to her marked patrol car.

Jess had stopped at the scene of a two-vehicle smash between a Land Rover and a Ford, after which the occupants of the Land Rover fled.

She was struck by the Mercedes, which was unconnected to the original collision, shortly after.

A police officer has tragically died after the crashCredit: NCJMEDIA SYNDICATION
 

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The officer had been responding to an initial collision on the A189Credit: NCJMEDIA SYNDICATION
Paramedics and other officers raced to the scene on the A189 Spine Road, before Jess was urgently rushed to hospital.

However, despite the best efforts of doctors, Jess sadly died of her injuries, Northumbria Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said today.

The driver of the Mercedes, a man aged 73, was arrested for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

It is understood the charge will now be reviewed in the light of her death.

Ch Con Jardine paid an emotional tribute to the young officer at Northumbria force HQ today, where the union flag flew at half mast.

Struggling to contain her emotion, she said: “Jess was responding to a collision in Cramlington late on Monday night.

“While at the scene, she was struck by a car, which was unconnected to the original incident.

“Jess was taken to hospital where, yesterday, surrounded by her loved ones, she sadly died.

“Our thoughts very much continue to be with her family, friends, and all those that have been impacted by this devastating loss.

“We will continue to support her loved ones in any way that 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, hailed as a “dedicated and committed officer”, worked on the response policing team in the local area.

Ch Con Jardine added: “She had so much still to look forward to in her career and her 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 faced 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 that will never be forgotten.”

Jess became the first Northumbria Police officer to die in the line of duty in 20 years.

The last was PC Joe Carroll, who was killed when a lag being transported from Hexham to Newcastle yanked on the patrol car’s handbrake.

It caused a 70mph smash on the A69 in Northumberland in April 2006.

Steven Graham, 39, a communications instructor at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, was jailed for five and a half years.

In a statement earlier this week, Northumbria Police urged any witnesses to come forward.

It read: “Our thoughts are very much with the officer, their loved-ones and all those impacted by what has happened.

“We will continue to support their family and colleagues at this difficult time.

“We are keen to hear from any witnesses who were travelling in the area at the time, and those who may have dashcam footage.

“Anyone with information should send us a DM or use live chat and report forms on our website.”

CRE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/39372144/cop-dies-after-police-car-struck/