A MASS of tributes have been paid to a dedicated police officer who died in a road crash while responding to an emergency call.

Scores of PC Andrew Bramma’s colleagues and friends visited the scene where his police van left the Masham to Ripon road, south of West Tanfield, yesterday to honour the married father-of-two.

The 32-year-old died after his patrol van had hit a tree near the bottom of a hill and a bend in the road on Saturday evening, hours after being asked to help colleagues in Ripon due to staffing shortages.

Colleagues said yesterday at the start of his shift PC Bramma had spoken about his ten-month-old son being too young to properly appreciate Christmas this year and how he was looking forward to next year’s festivities.

PC Bramma, who joined the force four months ago, had been based in Harrogate and Chief Constable Tim Madgwick organised cover for his colleagues there and in Ripon on Saturday as they struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.

While the force opened an online book of condolence at northyorkshire.police.uk/condolences, shadow home secretary and Yorkshire MP Yvette Cooper added to the mounting tributes to the officer.

She said: “This is terrible news. The officer was working to help others and keep people safe, in this instance responding to an emergency call.”

His tragic death has also been marked at the National Police Memorial at the Mall in London. 

 

John Tully, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, laid a wreath today, January 7, in memory of PC Bramma.

Sergeant Mike Stubbs of North Yorkshire Police Federation said: “We are extremely grateful to our Federation colleagues in London who have ensured that Andrew’s untimely death has been properly observed at this most appropriate location.

 

“The National Police Memorial recognises all police officers who have given their lives in the service of the public, and it is right and proper that Andrew’s sacrifice should be acknowledged alongside them.”

Sgt Stubbs thanked police officers and members of the public from around the country who have sent messages of condolence and expressions of support.

Among the tributes beside the tree, upon which a National Police Memorial Day medal and a poppy bearing PC Bramma’s collar number were pinned, were tributes from his sons, Jack and Sam, who said he was “the best daddy a boy could wish for” and from his parents and siblings to “a wonderful son and brother”.

One colleague wrote: “You have given your life to what you do best – serving your community. A true hero who has paid the ultimate price. Stand down constable your work here is done.”

A former Ripon policeman who visited the scene said PC Bramma had been “desperately unlucky” as the tree into which he crashed was the only one in 100 yards.