PC was closing road when car hit her, inquest hears

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. PC was closing road when car hit her, inquest hearsImage source, Family handoutImage caption, Jess Turnbull followed in her father's footsteps by joining Northumbria Police, her parents previously saidByMark Denten North East and Cumbria correspondentPublished30 June 2026, 11:11 BSTUpdated 2 hours agoA 19-year-old police officer who died after she was hit by a car while on duty was closing a road following a previous crash, a coroner has said. An inquest in Morpeth was told Northumbria PC Jess Turnbull suffered "catastrophic injuries" when she was struck by a vehicle in Cramlington, Northumberland, on 8 June. She died in hospital two days later.

The young officer had been sent to the scene of a crash involving a Land Rover Freelander and a Ford Explorer on the A189 Spine Road but was injured when a black Mercedes crashed into a marked police car. The inquest at County Hall heard PC Turnbull was originally deployed to the scene with a colleague after a report of the crash on the southbound A189 to implement a road closure. The two officers arrived on the scene at 23:26 BST.

The Details

Eight minutes later when she was outside the stationary police car, it was hit by another vehicle and PC Turnbull was injured. Image source, Northumbria PoliceImage caption, Jess Turnbull joined Northumbria Police in September last yearSenior Northumberland coroner Andrew Hetherington said the officer was given CPR at the scene but died at 11. 30 on 10 June in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The coroner adjourned the inquest until a provisional date of 11 January 2027. PC Turnbull's parents Janice and Andy were in court and previously described her as "our greatest pride and our greatest joy" while Northumbria Police said she was a "dedicated and committed" officer. Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A 73-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail. Officers have appealed to anyone who saw a 09-registered black Mercedes Coupe CLC on 8 June, between 15:00 and about 23:30, in Blyth, Cramlington and surrounding areas. Follow North East on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external.

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The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.