PC Rosie Prior: Funeral held for police officer killed in A19 crash

Summary

PC Rosie Prior, 45, died when she was hit by a lorry on the A19 in North Yorkshire
She had stopped at the scene of a collision on 11 January
About 800 people attended PC Prior's funeral at York Minster
Police officers and flag bearers from every police force lined the route to the minster before the service
The funeral cortege was led by a police piper and four police horses
During the funeral service, North Yorkshire's Chief Constable said PC Prior "placed the safety of the public before her own"
In a statement, Ms Prior's family hailed the "amazing support" from North Yorkshire Police
The funeral was expected to be followed by a private service at Thirsk crematorium

Live Reporting

Emily Johnson, Amelia Riley and Cathy Killick. Edited by Martin Coldrick

That's all from our live coveragepublished at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Thank you for joining us for our live coverage from the funeral service for PC Rosie Prior.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
These are some of the key points from the event:
- About 800 people attended PC Prior's funeral at York Minster
- Police officers and flag bearers from every police force lined the route to the minster
- The funeral cortege was led by a police piper and four police horses
- During the funeral service, North Yorkshire's Chief Constable said PC Prior "placed the safety of the public before her own"
- In a statement, Ms Prior's family hailed the "amazing support" from North Yorkshire Police
- The funeral was expected to be followed by a private service at Thirsk crematorium
'It was in her nature to help others'published at 13:16 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Beyond her life with North Yorkshire Police, Rosie Prior was also a regular member of Millfield Parkrun in Easingwold.
Her friend Claire, who is also a member of the group, has paid tribute to Ms Prior, who started running there in 2019.
She says it "doesn't surprise me at all" that Ms Prior was trying to help someone in need before her death in January.
"Aside from being a police officer, it was in her nature to help others," she says.
Claire adds: "When another mum with children the same age as yours passes before their time, it really does stop you in your tracks and makes you think hard about your own life.
"I’d ask you all to hold your loved ones close and to live every day like Rosie did, to the fullest."
Claire spoke to BBC Radio York earlier today. Listen to the full interview by clicking below:
Charity supports PC's bereaved familypublished at 13:06 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
A charity has said it is "humbled" to be able to help the family of PC Prior.
Image source, Mark Ansell/BBC
Patrick Cairns (pictured), from the Police Children's Charity, says that following PC Prior's "dreadful" death, her sons will receive regular grants from the organisation until they are 25.
Mr Cairns explains that the Police Children's Charity supports the children of police officers who have died or taken taken retirement due to ill health.
"It doesn't replace Rosie - everyone wishes she was still here. But we are humbled to be able to support the boys up to the age of 25," he says.
"We have about 300 beneficiaries for the charity. We spent over £800,000 supporting those beneficiaries last year."
Mr Cairns spoke to BBC Radio York earlier today. Listen to the full interview by clicking below:
PC Prior's funeral cortege leaves York Minsterpublished at 12:52 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
The procession leaves York Minster, as officers line the street once more.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Funeral service for PC Prior at York Minster endspublished at 12:41 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
The funeral service for PC Rosie Prior at York Minster has now ended, after eulogies, hymns and prayers.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Officers give the "final salute" as the coffin is led away from the minster.
Later this afternoon, a private ceremony will be held at Thirsk Crematorium.
At the scene: Outside York Minsterpublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Amelia Riley
BBC News, Yorkshire
It was a humbling sight seeing the number of police officers lining up at York Minster before PC Prior's funeral, as horses led the cortege.
Image source, Danny Lawson/ PA Wire
A man, who attended in the crowd to pay his respects, noticed one of Ms Prior's loved ones crying as she was escorted to the minster by police.
He reached over the barrier to hand her a packet of tissues.
The coffin, with PC Prior's police helmet sat on top, was taken inside moments after 45 bell chimes rang through the silence, to mark each year of PC Prior's life.
In pictures: The funeral of PC Rosie Prior at York Minsterpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
This is the scene in York Minster as PC Prior's funeral continues:
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
About 800 people are taking part in the full ceremonial funeral for the police officer who died in January.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
PC Prior's funeral will be followed by a private service at Thirsk crematorium later.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
'She placed the safety of the public before her own'published at 11:52 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Concluding his eulogy at York Minster, Chief Constable Forber refers to PC Prior as "our Rosie", which, he says, is how everyone in North Yorkshire will now think of her.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
"Rosie is the 10th North Yorkshire Police officer to die in the line of duty since the current force was formed in 1974," he says.
"Like police officers the length and breadth of this country do every day, she placed the safety of the public before her own safety.
"In doing so, she acted in the finest traditions of the British police service."
Mr Forber adds that officers will continue to protect the communities they serve, and they will do so in PC Prior's honour, and the honour of those that fell before her.
'She didn’t let anyone get away from her'published at 11:42 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Chief Constable Tim Forber (pictured) says PC Prior had attended more than 800 incidents in York.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
"A keen runner, she didn’t let anyone get away from her," he says.
"On one occasion, Rosie had to chase after a young missing person who had run from the police on their arrival.
"Having caught her, the young girl in question pointed out that, ‘by now the police had normally stopped running’.
"To which Rosie replied, ‘I haven’t even started – I normally run 10 miles a day’."
After encountering the same girl a few more times, she worked with her to offer empathy and understanding, Mr Forber says.
'A determined person, driven by her values'published at 11:37 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
North Yorkshire's Chief Constable Tim Forber gives the eulogy at York Minster, saying he had first spoken to PC Prior's family, friends and colleagues about what she was like.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
"They all described a determined person, driven by her values, who was exceptionally diligent and organised; balancing her many roles as a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, and to us, her work family, a much admired and committed colleague," he says.
"It was not until 2021, after a varied and accomplished career, that Rosie applied to join North Yorkshire Police.
"Her values are evident from the words she wrote in her application form to join the force: ‘I want a career where I feel challenged every day, get to give back to the community, and have a positive impact'."
PC Prior's coffin is carried in and service beginspublished at 11:24 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
The Revd Canon Timothy Goode signals permission for the pallbearers to remove PC Prior’s coffin and bring it into York Minster.
The service begins.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
PC Prior's family hails 'amazing support' from policepublished at 11:16 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
In a statement issued on behalf of PC Prior's family, her husband Chris says he wants to thank North Yorkshire Police and the Police Federation for their "amazing support during this horrific time".
Image source, North Yorkshire Police
"I would like to specifically mention our family support officers who have been fantastic," he adds.
"The amount of support we have received from family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and Rosie’s work colleagues proves that even in the darkest of times, the world does have amazing people in it."
He asks for time for the family and PC Prior's two boys to rebuild their lives after a "huge void" was left by her death.
'Always part of the police family' - retired officerpublished at 11:09 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Amelia Riley
BBC News, Yorkshire
Malcolm Taylor (pictured below), a retired North Yorkshire Police officer, is at York Minster to pay his respects to PC Prior.
Image source, Amelia Riley/BBC
He says: "I think once you’re a police officer, you’re always part of the police family.
"Although I didn’t know Rosie personally, she lived in a village not far from where I live.
"It really has resonated in the community how sad an event this is.
"Any police officer today will be thinking about Rosie’s family and what they’re going through."
Mr Taylor adds that people can do on a day like today is pay their respects.
Funeral cortege arrives at York Minsterpublished at 10:58 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
The funeral cortege approaches York Minster, led by a police piper and four police horses.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
North Yorkshire Police officers and flag bearers from every police force line Duncombe Place and lower all standards together as the hearse approaches.
They are raised again after the last limousine passes.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire
The funeral of PC Rosie Priorpublished at 10:45 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
This is the expected schedule for the funeral of PC Rosie Prior at York Minster today:
- 09:15: Doors open for funeral attendees
- 10:15: Attendees to be seated inside minster
- 10:15-10:20: Chief Constable inspects the officers on parade
- 10:30-10:45: Cortege approaches minster, led by a police piper and four police horses. The approach will be lined by North Yorkshire Police officers and flag bearers from every police force. The flag bearers will lower all standards together as the hearse approaches and all will be raised again after the last limousine passes
- 10:50: The Revd Canon Timothy Goode approaches the cortege and signals permission for the pallbearers to remove PC Prior’s coffin and bring it into York Minster
- 11:00: Service begins
- 12:30-12:35: Service due to conclude. Led by the Chief Constable, officers give the "Final Salute" as the coffin is led away from the Minster. This is the formal farewell from the Chief Constable
- 14:30: A private service at Thirsk Crematorium
People gather to pay respects ahead of PC's funeralpublished at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Amelia Riley
BBC News, Yorkshire
Crowds are forming outside York Minster to pay their respects to PC Rosie Prior.
Image source, Amelia Riley/BBC
Susan (pictured above) has arrived to show her support.
She says: "There are a lot of people here and it is good to know we can show respect to the ones that care for us and lay down their lives.
"I hope the funeral goes very well and the crowds will bring comfort to those who knew her."
Image source, Amelia Riley/BBC
Meanwhile, Claire (pictured above) is also watching on.
"I wasn’t fully aware of the circumstances under which this police officer died," she says.
"But having discovered them, I am absolutely here to pay my respects and to thank everyone who does these amazing jobs on our behalf.
How can I follow the funeral service?published at 10:32 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
The funeral service at York Minster for PC Rosie Prior is due to start at 11:00 GMT and you can follow live coverage right here.
You can also tune in to updates throughout the morning on BBC Radio York.
York Minster will be streaming the service on their YouTube page, external.
Officers line route for funeral cortegepublished at 10:21 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Cathy Killick
BBC News, Yorkshire
Police officers and flag bearers from every police force have lined the route to York Minster, along Duncombe Place.
Officers have also gathered either side of the Great West Door of the minster.
Image source, Cathy Killick/BBC
Image source, Cathy Killick/BBC
Image source, Cathy Killick/BBC
Hundreds expected at funeral of PC hit by lorrypublished at 10:11 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
More than 800 people are expected to attend the funeral at York Minster this morning of PC Rosie Prior.
PC Prior, 45, was off-duty when she stopped to help driver Ryan Welford on the verge of the A19 at Bagby, North Yorkshire on 11 January.
Ms Prior and Mr Welford were both killed in the collision, while a teenage boy suffered serious injuries.
North Yorkshire Police says the full ceremonial police funeral will get under way at 11:00.
Officers will line the final part of the route for the funeral cortege as it arrives at the minster, a force spokesperson says.
Members of the public will not be able to enter the minster for the service, but are welcome to line the route along Duncombe Place.
Welcome to our live coveragepublished at 10:00 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the funeral at York Minster of PC Rosie Prior.
Image source, North Yorkshire Police
The 45-year-old North Yorkshire Police Officer died when she was hit by an HGV after she stopped to help at the scene of a crash on the A19 near Bagby.
She died alongside driver Ryan Welford when they were both hit by the lorry on 11 January. A teenage boy suffered was also seriously injured in the collision.
The funeral service is due to start at 11:00 GMT.