Wakefield memorial to five police officers killed in crash to be unveiled

The memorial stone and plaque are to be placed at Newton Hill

A permanent memorial to five police officers killed in a coach crash is due to be unveiled later this year.

They died when the vehicle they were travelling in overturned at Newton Hill roundabout in Wakefield in May 1978.

Another 23 people were injured in the crash, which happened as the officers were heading to a conference in Blackpool.

A dedication ceremony to make the 46th anniversary of the tragedy was also planned, Wakefield Council said.

The crash, in which PC David Bulleyment, PC Eric Renshaw, PC Colin Ross, WPC Lillian Sullivan and WPS Elizabeth Burton died, happened when the coach's brakes failed, an inquest heard.

Matthew Morley, cabinet member for planning and highways, said the deaths would be remembered with a memorial stone and a plaque.

He added that relatives of those who lost their lives would be at the dedication ceremony, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

'Long overdue'

Last October, ward councillor David Pickersgill welcomed the plans, but added: "It is unfortunate it has taken us this long to do a proper memorial to the police coach crash."

Speaking in 2019, Neil Bulleyment, PC Bulleyment's son, who was four when his father died, said: "I think the idea is long overdue, to be honest.

"I've seen various police forces up and down the UK all pay tribute to the officers they've lost, and I think West Yorkshire should too," he added.

"I think since 1978, something has been lacking. Even if there was just a small plaque there it would have been nice. It's a great shame really."

Police Federation chairman Brian Booth previously said: "We think it's a fantastic idea. We're fully supportive of it. It's absolutely the right thing to do to remember them.

"It was a massive tragedy and it's important we recognise the contribution of those officers to society."

Wakefield Council said it had consulted the Police Federation over the tribute.

It comes after a £9.7m redevelopment of the roundabout was completed.