Crowds gathered to honor a teenage police officer who tragically lost her life in a fatal road accident while responding to another crash. PC Jess Turnbull, aged 19, was struck by a car as she and her colleague were attending a two-car collision. The incident occurred when a vehicle hit their patrol car, causing PC Turnbull to sustain fatal injuries.
PC Turnbull’s funeral procession took place on Friday, with her coffin escorted to Newcastle Cathedral by horses, pipers, and motorcycle outriders. An honor guard of officers from various police forces across the UK paid their respects as scores of uniformed police lined the streets outside the cathedral, specially closed for the somber occasion.
The procession featured seven pipers and a drummer leading the way, followed by four mounted officers. PC Turnbull’s coffin, draped in a union flag, was solemnly carried into the church by uniformed officers while the pipers played “Amazing Grace” under the bright sunshine. The officer’s police hat was placed atop the coffin as it was brought inside, with dignitaries including Northumbria Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine saluting as PC Turnbull’s parents and other family members followed.
A coroner recently detailed the circumstances surrounding PC Turnbull’s death, explaining that she was responding to a previous collision near Cramlington, Northumberland. PC Turnbull was implementing a road closure when she was tragically hit by a passing motorist who collided with the parked police car. Despite receiving immediate medical attention at the scene and being transported to the hospital, she succumbed to her injuries two days later.
Northumbria Police reported that a 73-year-old Mercedes driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the incident. PC Turnbull had only started her service with the force in September.
