A young police officer, PC Jess Turnbull, tragically lost her life at the age of 19 while attempting to close a road after a previous accident. PC Turnbull, described as “caring and compassionate,” sustained severe injuries in the incident. Her parents expressed their heartfelt tribute to Jess, who had recently followed her father’s path into the police force.
The inquest in Morpeth, Northumberland, revealed that PC Turnbull and a colleague were dispatched to the scene of an earlier collision involving two vehicles. The fatal crash occurred at 11.11 pm on June 8 on the A189 near Cramlington, as stated by Coroner Andrew Hetherington during the inquest opening. Her parents, Janice and Andy, who is a former police officer, attended the brief session.
PC Turnbull had stepped out of her marked police car around 11.34 pm to set up a road closure when another driver collided with the parked vehicle, causing Jess to be struck. Despite immediate medical attention from police and paramedics, she was transported to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where she passed away on June 10. A post-mortem examination was conducted, as mentioned by Mr. Hetherington.
The investigation into the circumstances of the incident remains ongoing. The coroner postponed the full inquest hearing to January 11, with the possibility of scheduling changes. Northumbria Police reported that a 73-year-old Mercedes driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail.
Having joined the police force only in September, PC Turnbull was deeply committed to her role. Her parents expressed pride in her accomplishment, highlighting her dedication to serving the community and her passion for the job. Policing was not just a profession for Jess but a vocation driven by her desire to assist others with compassion and professionalism.