THE funeral of a police officer who was hit by a lorry as he helped a stricken motorist took place yesterday.

Pc Mark Goodlad, 41, died after the accident on the southbound carriageway of the M1 near Wakefield on October 24.

West Yorkshire Police said an orange Scania articulated heavy goods vehicle was in collision with a marked BMW X5 police car and a grey Suzuki Swift.

The police car and the Suzuki were both stationary on the hard shoulder.

Pc Goodlad, who was a road traffic officer, was between the two vehicles, assisting the 51-year-old female Suzuki driver.

The woman suffered minor injuries in the incident.

West Yorkshire Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison said he had made the “ultimate sacrifice.”

The officer’s funeral was held at Wakefield Cathedral and followed by a private cremation.

A 44-year-old lorry driver, from the Oldham area, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the accident and later bailed pending further inquiries.