Northumbria PC Dies On-Duty
Northumbria PC Jess Turnbull Dies After On-Duty A189 Collision, First in 20 Years
Key Points
Northumbria Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said Turnbull died “in hospital on Wednesday, surrounded by her loved ones,” and described the death as “an extremely tragic incident where Jess lost her life in the line of duty while serving and protecting our communities,” adding that “Policing is a family” and the force is supporting her loved ones. The Union flag was flown at half mast at force headquarters during tributes.
BBC News reports Turnbull was struck on the southbound carriageway at about 11:10pm while she was standing next to her marked patrol vehicle, after which she was taken to hospital. BBC also states the 73-year-old Mercedes driver was arrested initially on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The Daily Mail described Turnbull as having “landed her dream role only last year,” after joining Northumbria Police in September and becoming a front-line response officer—highlighting her limited time in the role before the fatal collision.
The Telegraph added historical context for the “first in 20 years” line-of-duty death, noting that the previous Northumbria officer to die was PC Joe Carroll in 2006, killed when a prisoner being transported pulled a police car’s handbrake, causing a 70mph crash on the A69.
PC Jess Turnbull, a 19-year-old Northumbria Police officer, died on Wednesday after being struck by a car while attending a road collision the night before. She had joined the force just nine months earlier, in September 2025, and was one of the youngest officers to die on duty in modern UK history. BBC News reported she was standing outside her marked patrol vehicle on the A189 Spine Road near Cramlington when a black Mercedes CLC hit her at about 11:10pm on Monday.
Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said Turnbull "made the ultimate sacrifice" and described her death as the first Northumbria officer killed in the line of duty in 20 years. "Policing is a family," Jardine said, "and we are mourning the passing of not only a colleague and a friend but also our own family member." The Union flag flew at half-mast at force headquarters as tributes poured in.
A Second Crash Killed the Officer Sent to Help
The chain of events began at 11:10pm on Monday when a silver Land Rover Freelander and a white Ford Explorer collided on the southbound A189. The occupants of the Land Rover fled on foot before police arrived, according to Chronicle Live. No injuries were reported from that first crash.
PC Turnbull arrived at the scene as part of a response policing unit. While she stood outside her marked patrol car, a black Mercedes CLC — completely unconnected to the first crash — struck her. She was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. She died on Wednesday, June 10, surrounded by her family, The Independent reported.
73-Year-Old Driver Arrested, Charge Now Upgraded
A 73-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. After PC Turnbull's death, police confirmed the charge would be reviewed. He was re-arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail, The Independent reported.
Under UK law, causing death by dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment — a guideline recently increased to reflect the gravity of such cases. Prosecutors must now decide whether the driver's actions fell "far below" the standard expected of a competent driver, the legal test for dangerous driving.
Turnbull Had Just Landed Her Dream Job
Turnbull joined Northumbria Police in September 2025 and was posted to the Northumberland Response Policing Team. The Daily Mail described her as having "landed her dream role only last year." At 19, she had fewer than nine months of service when she was killed.
The Northumbria Police Federation said the incident had a "devastating impact" on the force's youngest recruits, many of whom joined in the same 2025 intake as Turnbull. Chief Constable Jardine said her death was "an extremely tragic incident where Jess lost her life in the line of duty while serving and protecting our communities."
First Northumbria Death in the Line of Duty Since 2006
Turnbull's death is the first fatal line-of-duty incident for Northumbria Police in 20 years. The Telegraph reported the previous case was PC Joe Carroll, 46, who died on April 13, 2006. A prisoner being transported pulled the police car's handbrake at 70mph on the A69 near Corbridge, causing it to overturn. The prisoner, Steven Graham, was later jailed for manslaughter.
Police are now directing members of the public who wish to leave floral tributes to Wallsend headquarters rather than the crash site, for safety reasons, Daily Star reported. An internal review of roadside safety protocols — including how patrol cars are positioned to shield officers — is expected to follow.
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