Remembering Keith

20 September 2025

North Yorkshire PC Keith Summerbell died on this day 43 years ago.

Keith, 26, was on an advanced police motorcycle training course on 20 September 1982 when he lost control of his machine due to a defective road surface and was in collision with an oncoming lorry.

North Yorkshire Police Federation chair Rob Bowles said: “It is always incredibly sad when we lose a serving police officer but it seems particularly tragic that Keith was so young when he died in this tragic incident. He had his whole life and his whole career in front of him. 

“Today we remember Keith and the service he gave to the Force but, most of all, we remember the loved ones he left behind as they continue to feel his loss.”