Hundreds at cathedral for police officer's funeral

The funeral has taken place for a 19-year-old police officer who died two days after she was hit by a car while on duty.

PC Jess Turnbull had been sent to the scene of a collision on the A189 Spine Road in Cramlington, Northumberland, on 8 June when she was struck by a vehicle unconnected to the crash. She died in hospital two days later.

At Newcastle Cathedral on Friday, a police pipe band played a drum lament followed by Amazing Grace as her funeral procession arrived ahead of a service attended by about 600 mourners.

Police officers from across the UK lined up along the route with their standards dipped to the ground as their colleague's coffin passed by.

On what is normally a road full of traffic, Mosley Street fell silent as PC Turnbull's family made their way through.

That silence was broken by a shouted order from a police officer in dress uniform for fellow officers lining the route to stand to attention.

The coffin, draped in a union flag and with a police hat placed on top, was carried into the church by more uniformed officers, passing attendees including Northumbria Police Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine, who saluted.

PC Turnbull's parents followed the coffin into the church ahead of many more family members and dozens of police.

In a statement, they said the full ceremonial honours afforded to PC Turnbull was "incredibly moving" and provided a "great comfort during an unimaginably difficult time".

"To see the respect shown, and to feel the strength and support of the police family around us, is something we will never forget," they said.

Jardine said: "Jess made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our communities and it was an honour to be able to recognise her commitment and dedication to public service with a full ceremonial policing funeral."

A preliminary inquest hearing was told PC Turnbull was originally sent to the crash scene with a colleague to implement a road closure, arriving at 23:26 BST.

Eight minutes later, when she was outside the stationary police car, it was hit by another vehicle and PC Turnbull was injured.

Senior 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.

A 73-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail while investigations continue.

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