COLLEAGUES of the Cumbrian police officer who died on the M6 have held a minute's silence in his memory as an online fundraiser was launched to raise £100,000 for his grief-stricken family.

PC Nick Dumphreys, 47, died at the scene of a crash on the M6 near Carlisle after his marked police car left the road as he responded to an emergency call. A married man with small children, the officer was immensely popular with his colleagues.

In one of many tributes, fellow roads policing officers who attended their annual conference in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, this week held a minute’s silence as a large screen displayed an image of PC Dumphreys.

His death on Sunday has sent shockwaves through the county. It also triggered a flood of tributes from his many friends, colleagues, and even strangers.

The officer’s colleagues in Cumbria have launched their own online fundraiser to support his family in the aftermath of the tragedy.

As the investigation into the tragedy continues, members of Cumbria Police Federation - which represents rank and file police officers - launched a JustGiving online appeal for his family.

Their initial target has been set at £100,000. The appeal was launched online with a moving message and tribute to PC Dumphreys, whose collar number throughout his 16 year police career was 1724.

It says: “Cumbria Police Federation are raising money for the family of PC 1724

“Nick Dumphreys, the Police officer who tragically lost his life on duty in a road traffic collision on 26 January 2020.

“Police officers across Cumbria and the rest of the UK go to work every day to do their duty. We know there is a risk when we put on the uniform but we rightly expect to go home safe at the end of each shift. Nick was a caring and compassionate man who was proud to serve the public.

“He loved the job he did and adored his family. Sadly on very rare and horrendous occasions a colleague makes the ultimate sacrifice. All our thoughts are with Nick’s wife, two young children, family, friends and close colleagues.

The family of PC Dumphreys will receive all money raised through this page.”

Cumbria’s Chief Constable Michelle Skeer police officers throughout the force were reeling from the death of PC Dumphreys, who was a “consummate professional.”

He had always put other people first, she said. As is usual in such tragedies, police officers from another force - in this case Lancashire Police - are investigating the circumstances. Find the appeal at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pc-nickdumphreys