Cop killed helping car crash victims while off-duty hailed as ‘very best of British policing’ as pals pay tribute
A COP killed after stopping to help at a crash scene while off-duty has been described as “the very best of British policing”.
Pals and colleagues described “ray of sunshine” Rosie Prior as selfless and caring as they struggled to process the married mum of two’s death.
The North Yorkshire cop, 45, came across the road collision on the A19 near the town of Thirsk on Saturday.
She pulled over at the crash site involving a black Ford Focus and a silver Audi on the A19 in Bagby.
Rosie was standing on the verge with the Audi driver Ryan Welford, 41, and his teen passenger when they were hit by a lorry.
The hero cop, who ran a mobile coffee business before joining the police as a student officer in 2022, was killed alongside Mr Welford.
The male teen remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Tributes poured in as traffic officers appealed for witnesses — and released under investigation a lorry driver, 65, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
A senior officer on Sunday described her actions at the crash site as “epitomising the very best of British policing“.
Chief Constable Tim Forber paid tribute to PC Prior, who he said joined the force more than two years ago because “she wanted to help people”.
He said she was off-duty when she stopped to help and “like many police officers up and down the country, put herself on-duty”.
He added: “Rosie epitomises the very best of British policing, she put the safety of others before her own safety. Helping others was part of her DNA.”
The devastated family of PC Prior, who wrote online of her “exciting journey” ahead when she became a cop, described her as “a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, aunty”.
Pal Coley Cole posted: “RIP Rosie. A beautiful human being.
“A massive ray of sunshine who always had a smile on her face and always had time for everyone.”
Rachel Claire wrote: “Rosie was a dedicated officer, telling me recently about the further training she was doing to better the lives of vulnerable children.”
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and Jo Coles, deputy mayor for policing, fire and crime, said: “Rosie’s commitment to serving the public, even when off-duty, shows she was the very best of us.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper paid tribute to both victims and said PC Prior’s death was “a tragic reminder of the dedication and bravery police officers show each day to keep us safe”.
North Yorkshire’s Major Collision Investigation Team, meanwhile, are seeking witnesses to the accident or anyone with dash-cam footage.
The 65-year-old driver of a HGV, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Cops later confirmed he has been released under investigation.
Mr Welford’s family said: “Ryan was a hardworking and loving father, husband, son and brother.
“He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”