Officer killed in North Yorkshire car crash

A North Yorkshire Police officer was killed after the patrol van he was driving collided with a tree in a village near Ripon.

Andrew Bramma, a 32-year-old police constable based in Harrogate, had been driving through West Tanfield on January 5 to attend a reported road accident when his van left the road at around 7pm.

PC Bramma, who had two sons, had transferred to North Yorkshire four months previously from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), where he had been based since 2008. Both forces paid tribute to a “dedicated and enthusiastic” officer, while an online book of condolence has been opened and all flags at North Yorkshire stations will be flown at half-mast in tribute.

Tim Madgwick, temporary chief constable at North Yorkshire, said: “Andrew was a committed, enthusiastic officer who wanted to serve the public and the community.

“My thoughts are with Andrew’s family and friends who have suffered the most tragic and devastating loss.

“The overwhelming sense of sadness which had been felt by Andrew’s colleagues is shared by the entire force as we mourn the loss of one of our officers.”

North Yorkshire Police Federation’s Mike Stubbs said the force was “mourning a member of our police family”, adding: “Andrew had quickly established himself as a well-liked and respected officer among his colleagues in North Yorkshire who are distraught at his death.”

In a statement, the Rochdale division of GMP where PC Bramma was previously stationed said: “Andrew was a great police officer and a loving family man. For anyone who knew him, Andrew was meticulous in everything he did, nothing would ever beat him and he would leave no stone unturned to find his answers. Every job he dealt with was always done to A* standard.

“Andrew leaves us all with many lasting memories – from being such a great friend, to the large amount of hand gel and protective blue gloves he used to go through at work that we teased him about daily, to being a very proud and true Yorkshireman.

“We were all proud to know and work alongside Andrew and hope to lead by the high example he set for us to follow.

“Our thoughts are with his wife, two lovely sons and other family and friends at this time.”
GMP Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood said: “Officers and staff here at Greater Manchester are distraught to hear the news of Andrew’s tragic death on Saturday.

“Andrew was a well-liked and respected officer during his time at GMP and we would like to offer our most sincere condolences to Andrew’s family, friends and colleagues at both Forces, who are now understandably struggling to come to terms with his loss.”

Julia Mulligan, police and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, expressed her confidence that the investigation would establish what caused the crash.

“This is the worst news a family can receive and my sympathies and thoughts are with them all at this dreadful time,” she said.

“Right now my focus is to ensure that North Yorkshire Police has all it needs to provide full support to the officer`s family and colleagues at this tragic time.”

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and will carry out an investigation.