Police officer killed in A7 crash near Galashiels

An off-duty police officer has been killed in a crash on the A7 Edinburgh-Carlisle road near Galashiels.
PC Rhys Prentice.PC Rhys Prentice.
PC Rhys Prentice.

Police constable Rhys Prentice died after his motorbike and a car collided immediately north of Galashiels yesterday afternoon, July 15.

Riding a Yamaha R6 motorbike, PC Prentice was travelling south, and the other vehicle involved, a silver Peugeot 107, was travelling north when they came into collision at 12.25pm.

The 24-year-old died at the scene of the crash.

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His family have issued a statement saying: “We are absolutely devastated at the loss of Rhys, our much-loved son, brother, fiancé and friend.

“Rhys was an enthusiastic biker and a dedicated police officer.

“He made us all very proud, and words cannot describe how much we will miss him.”

Chief Superintendent Lesley Clark, Police Scotland’s divisional commander for the Lothians and Borders, said: “It’s a sad day for the Lothians and Scottish Borders division with the loss of a young and enthusiastic officer.

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“Rhys was stationed in East Lothian and will be sadly missed.

“He was a popular and devoted officer, and support is being given to his colleagues.

“Rhys’s parents and fiancée were exceptionally proud of his chosen career, and our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this tragic time.”

Both occupants of the Peugeot sustained serious injuries and were taken to the Borders General Hospital at Melrose for treatment.

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The road was closed in both directions for around eight hours while emergency services attended and carried out a collision investigation.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to come forward.

Sergeant Ross Drummond, of the force’s road policing unit at Dalkeith in Midlothian, added: “This incident has tragically resulted in death of a young man and a colleague.

“Our inquiries continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision, and anyone who was on the road at the time and witnessed what happened is urged to contact police.”

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Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2,195 of July 15.

PC Prentice was the third motorcyclist to die in the Borders in just over a week following fatal accidents in Hawick and just outside Jedburgh last Saturday and Sunday respectively.