A 19-year-old police officer has died after being struck by a car while attending the scene of an earlier collision on the A189 near Cramlington, Northumberland — just months after joining the force.
PC Jess Turnbull died in hospital on Wednesday, surrounded by her loved ones, Northumbria Police’s Chief Constable confirmed. She had only joined the force in September last year.
The incident began shortly after 11.10pm on Monday 8 June, when officers responded to a two-vehicle collision on the southbound carriageway of the A189 Spine Road near Moor Farm Roundabout, involving a silver Land Rover Freelander and a white Ford Explorer. The Ford left the road, and the occupants of the Land Rover fled the scene on foot before police arrived. No serious injuries were reported from that initial collision.
While PC Turnbull was out of her marked police vehicle attending the scene, a black Mercedes CLC — unconnected to the original incident — collided with the police car and struck her. She was taken to hospital with serious injuries and remained in critical condition before her death on Wednesday.
The driver of the Mercedes, a 73-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and remains in police custody.
Assistant Chief Constable Helena Barron said: “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.”
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said two ambulance crews, a duty officer and the Great North Air Ambulance Service had attended, with two patients taken to hospital by road for further treatment. The A189 Spine Road remained closed for more than 13 hours following the incident.
Officers from Northumbria Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who was travelling in the area at the time and may have dashcam footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101, quoting reference number NP-20260608-1198, or via the force’s social media channels and online reporting tools.
