Yorkshire Policeman Dies After HGV Accident

A policeman in Yorkshire has died after being hit by a heavy goods vehicle on a motorway while attempting to assist a woman on the hard shoulder.

West Yorkshire Police have expressed their condolences to the family of 41-year-old police constable Mark Goodlad, who was killed after a collision on the M1 Southbound at around 4.15pm on Monday.

Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, Chair of the Police Authority, said: "It is with great sadness that one of our officers has lost his life in the line of duty.

"The day-to-day realities of the dangers faced by our officers and staff are made all too stark by tragedies like this, and our heartfelt thoughts and sympathy are with Mark’s family at this time.”

Police said they are investigating the collision, which occurred between junctions 39 and 38 on the southbound carriageway.

It is believed that PC Goodlad, who was a Motorway Patrol Roads Policing officer and was on duty at the time, had stopped to help a woman whose car had broken down on the hard shoulder.

A police spokesman said: "While he was assisting the lady, a HGV collided with him and the marked police car. The 51-year-old female motorist suffered minor injuries.

"The 44-year-old male driver of the HGV has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving."

The southbound carriageway remains closed until further notice.

Responding to the incident, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Sir Norman Bettison, said: "People sometimes overlook the real essence of policing. We exist to protect the public from threat and harm. Sometimes it is about crime, sometimes disorder. Today, it was about the dangerous environment of the motorway."

"PC Mark Goodlad was assisting a vulnerable motorist, who had broken down in that dangerous space. He was doing his job as his colleagues do day in day out. Police officers put themselves at risk for others.

Meanwhile, Yvette Cooper, Labour's Shadow Home Secretary, said the news was "desperately painful and sad".

"All our sympathies and thoughts go out to his family and friends. This loss is felt by the whole community and police force in West Yorkshire.

"PC Goodlad and so many police officers across the country put their lives at risk every night so we all can be safer and more secure, and they deserve our deepest thanks and gratitude at all times."

(DW/BMcC)