Post by gipsykev on Oct 25, 2011 12:32:43 GMT
A police officer paid the "ultimate sacrifice" when he was struck by a lorry while helping a woman whose car had broken down on a motorway, his force said.
Pc Mark Goodlad, 41, was airlifted to hospital following the accident on the M1 between junctions 40 and 39, but died from his injuries.
West Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Andrew Tempest-Mitchell said: "It is a sad day for West Yorkshire Police who have lost a dedicated officer who has been killed doing a very dangerous job. It was my understanding he was a very experienced road traffic officer."
It is understood the officer was married with one child and had been in the force for 10 years.
Pc Goodlad, from East Yorkshire, was a Motorway Patrol Roads Policing officer and was on duty at the time of the accident. He had stopped to help a woman whose car had broken down on the hard shoulder, West Yorkshire Police said. While he was assisting her, a HGV struck him and the marked police car, a spokesman said. The 51-year-old woman received minor injuries.
The 44-year-old driver of the HGV was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, police added.
Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police Sir Norman Bettison said: "Police officers put themselves at risk for others. Mark paid the ultimate sacrifice and we are all proud of him and are saddened by his loss. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Mark's family. We shall try to be there for them as Mark was there for the public at large."
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary and a West Yorkshire MP, said: "The news of the death of Pc Mark Goodlad whilst working to help others and keep people safe is 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."
Pc Mark Goodlad, 41, was airlifted to hospital following the accident on the M1 between junctions 40 and 39, but died from his injuries.
West Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Andrew Tempest-Mitchell said: "It is a sad day for West Yorkshire Police who have lost a dedicated officer who has been killed doing a very dangerous job. It was my understanding he was a very experienced road traffic officer."
It is understood the officer was married with one child and had been in the force for 10 years.
Pc Goodlad, from East Yorkshire, was a Motorway Patrol Roads Policing officer and was on duty at the time of the accident. He had stopped to help a woman whose car had broken down on the hard shoulder, West Yorkshire Police said. While he was assisting her, a HGV struck him and the marked police car, a spokesman said. The 51-year-old woman received minor injuries.
The 44-year-old driver of the HGV was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, police added.
Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police Sir Norman Bettison said: "Police officers put themselves at risk for others. Mark paid the ultimate sacrifice and we are all proud of him and are saddened by his loss. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Mark's family. We shall try to be there for them as Mark was there for the public at large."
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary and a West Yorkshire MP, said: "The news of the death of Pc Mark Goodlad whilst working to help others and keep people safe is 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."
