The Wakefield memorial to the Newton Hill crash that killed five police officers

A permanent memorial to five police officers killed in a coach crash in Wakefield almost 50 years ago has been unveiled.

The officers died when the vehicle they were traveling in overturned at the Newton Hill roundabout in 1978.

Another 23 people were injured in the tragedy, which happened while they were traveling to a conference.

A dedication ceremony was held near the crash site on Wednesday to mark the 46th anniversary.

PC David Bullement, 31, PC Eric Renshaw, 45, PC Colin Ross, 33, PC Lillian Sullivan, 41, and Sgt Elizabeth Burton, 40, all died in the crash in May.

An inquest later concluded that the coach’s brakes had failed as it traveled to the Police Federation conference in Blackpool.

A minute’s silence was also observed by relatives and friends of the officers, political leaders and the chief constable of West Yorkshire Police at the dedication.

Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery witnessed the crash as a teenager and has “never forgotten” the events of that day.

The council placed the memorial following a £9.7m redevelopment of the roundabout and the A650 Leeds Road.

It came after a six-year campaign for a permanent tribute by resident Paul Fixter.

Mrs Jeffery said: “Every time I come around this roundabout I think of that day because I witnessed the accident.

“I was on my way to my parents’ house and I saw everything. I never forgot it.

“It took a long time, but, my God, it must not be forgotten. It was a terrible tragedy.

“It was a terrible loss of young life.”

Andy Sullivan attended the event to remember his mother Lillian, a police officer who was 41 when she lost her life.

Andy, who was 13 at the time, said: “It’s taken a long time to put something like this into place but I think it’s a fitting tribute.

“Hats off to Paul Fixter, in particular, for his grassroots outreach work.”

Mr Fixter, a former police officer, started the campaign after becoming concerned that the accident was being forgotten in the city.

He said: “It’s great that this has come to fruition.

“On the 40th anniversary of the tragedy in 2018, I spoke to some of my neighbors and they were not aware of it.

“We don’t want it to be forgotten.”