A young police officer, PC Jess Turnbull, tragically passed away at the age of 19 after being struck by a car while attempting to close a road following a previous incident. PC Turnbull, described as “caring and compassionate,” sustained severe injuries in the collision. Her parents, Janice and Andy, who is a former police officer, expressed their heartfelt tribute to their daughter, who had recently joined Northumbria Police to follow in her father’s footsteps.
An inquest held in Morpeth, Northumberland, revealed that PC Turnbull and a colleague were dispatched to the scene of an earlier crash involving a white Ford Explorer and a silver Land Rover. The fatal incident occurred at 11.11pm on Monday, June 8, on the A189 near Cramlington, as highlighted by Coroner Andrew Hetherington during the initial inquest hearing. PC Turnbull was positioning a road closure at around 11.34pm when a passing motorist collided with the parked police vehicle, resulting in the tragic accident that claimed her life.
Following the collision, emergency services provided immediate care to PC Turnbull at the scene before transferring her to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where she sadly succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday, June 10. The coroner mentioned that a post-mortem examination had been conducted, and investigations by the police are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident.
The inquest hearing was adjourned to January 11, with the possibility of rescheduling. It was disclosed that a 73-year-old Mercedes driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail. In a touching tribute to their daughter, PC Turnbull’s parents emphasized her dedication to serving the community and her deep passion for policing, which she viewed as more than just a profession but a true calling rooted in compassion and professionalism.