A young police officer, PC Jess Turnbull from Northumbria Police, tragically lost her life at the age of 19 while trying to close a road after a previous accident. PC Turnbull, described as “caring and compassionate,” sustained severe injuries in the incident. Her parents, Janice and Andy, expressed their heartfelt tribute to Jess, who had recently followed her father’s footsteps into the police force.
According to details presented at an inquest in Morpeth, Northumberland, PC Turnbull and a fellow officer were dispatched to the scene of an earlier collision involving a white Ford Explorer and a silver Land Rover. The fatal crash occurred at 11:11 pm on Monday, June 8, along the A189 near Cramlington, as stated by Coroner Andrew Hetherington during the initial inquest hearing.
PC Turnbull had exited her marked police vehicle around 11:34 pm to set up a road closure when she was struck by another vehicle while standing near the front of her car. Despite immediate treatment by police and paramedics, she was later pronounced dead on June 10 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle. The coroner mentioned that a post-mortem examination had been conducted.
An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the police to determine the events of that fateful night, with a 73-year-old Mercedes driver having been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and subsequently released on bail. PC Turnbull had joined the police force only in September, fulfilling a lifelong dream and passion for serving her community.
In a touching tribute following her passing, Jess’s parents emphasized her deep commitment to her role as a police officer, highlighting her dedication to helping others and her unwavering professionalism. They described policing as not just a job for Jess but a true calling that she embraced with enthusiasm, compassion, and a strong sense of duty.
