Last updated at 13:30, Thursday, 05 April 2012

Cumbria police have paid tribute to an off-duty officer who was killed in a two-vehicle crash near Cockermouth.

PC Craig Postlethwaite pictured with a runaway horse that he captured and led to safety

PC Craig Postlethwaite, 38, who worked in West Cumbria Roads Policing Unit, was riding his motorcycle on the A5086 road close to Paddle School, Eaglesfield, when it was in collision with a car. He died at the scene.

The driver of the Volkswagen Tiguan car, a 65-year-old man from the Penrith area, was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle suffering from shock.

Close family friend Sergeant Jim Lloyd, who worked with PC Postlethwaite, who lived in the Workington area, said today: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm that our friend and colleague PC Craig Postlethwaite died last night in a road traffic collision.

“Police officers and the ambulance service attended the collision however, tragically, Craig died at the scene.

“His family, friends and colleagues are all deeply shocked and are being supported during this extremely difficult time.

“Craig was an exemplary officer and will be missed by all who knew him.

“Craig was an exceptional man and a very dedicated officer. He recently moved to the Roads Policing Unit which was a career path that he had always wanted to follow and had also just completed his firearms course.

“Craig joined the Constabulary four years ago and has made a positive impression on all who knew him. He was well liked and respected by the community and all his colleagues – he was a genuinely nice and thoroughly decent bloke. As a police officer, he was an example to us all.

“He will be a massive loss to the policing family and we will all miss him.

“Craig’s family have asked me to pass on thanks to the member of the public who stopped at the scene and attempted to give first aid to help Craig. His family and colleagues are extremely grateful.”

Collision investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash, which took place at about 5.15pm.

Anyone with information should contact the Road Policing Unit on 101.

A spokeswoman from the ambulance service said community first responders reached the crash site before the emergency services and assisted in providing treatment. Two ambulances and a responding doctor were also scrambled to the scene.

The road was temporarily closed from Paddle School to the Sheep and Wool Centre roundabout, with drivers being advised by the police to find alternative routes.

The road reopened at 9.45pm.

First published at 17:52, Wednesday, 04 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk