Police officer, 19, dies from crash injuries

A 19-year-old police officer hurt in a crash while responding to a report of a separate collision has died of her injuries.

Northumbria Police said Jess Turnbull was a "dedicated and committed" officer who had joined the force in September.

She had been sent to the scene of a crash involving a Land Rover Freelander and Ford Explorer on the A189 Spine Road in Cramlington at 23:10 BST on Monday, but was injured when a black Mercedes CLC crashed into a marked police car. Turnbull died in hospital on Wednesday.

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

Paying tribute to the officer, Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: "She had so much still to look forward to in her career and her life.

"She was a dedicated and committed officer who always sought to do her best to keep her communities safe."

The initial crash saw the Ford leave the road and the occupants of the Land Rover flee the area on foot before police arrived.

No serious injuries were reported at that point.

Then the black Mercedes CLC collided with a marked police car, injuring Turnbull, and the driver was arrested initially on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Confirming Turnbull's death, Jardine said: "Our thoughts very much continue to be with her family, friends, and all those that have been impacted by this devastating loss.

"We are mourning the passing of not only a colleague and a friend, but also our own family member."