PC Jess Turnbull, a 19-year-old Northumbria police officer, has tragically died after being hit by a car while attending another collision. The incident occurred on Monday night on the A189 Spine Road in Cramlington, Northumberland.
Details of the Incident
At approximately 11:10 PM, Turnbull was responding to a separate crash when she was struck by a black Mercedes CLC that was not involved in the original incident. She was standing outside a marked police vehicle at the scene. A 73-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and later rearrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released on bail.
Tributes from the Chief Constable
Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine expressed her deepest condolences, stating, “Jess made the ultimate sacrifice and that will never be forgotten.” She described Turnbull as a “dedicated and committed officer” who always sought to keep her community safe. “She was relatively new in service with so much still to look forward to in her career and life,” Jardine added.
Force Mourns a Colleague
The union flag at Northumbria Police headquarters in Wallsend flew at half-mast as officers mourned the loss. Jardine emphasized that policing is a family and that the force will continue to support Turnbull’s loved ones. “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,” she said.
Investigation Ongoing
Police are continuing to investigate the collision and are appealing for witnesses, especially those with dashcam footage from the area at the time. They have asked the public not to leave tributes at the scene but rather at the flagpole outside force headquarters, where they will later be moved to a private memorial garden.
Turnbull joined Northumbria Police in September last year and served on the response policing team in Northumberland. Her dedication and commitment have been remembered by colleagues and leaders alike.
