Police officer killed by lorry

A police officer was killed when he was hit by a lorry during a cycling competition, officers have said.

John Needham, 38 and a father of three, was an officer with the National Crime Squad.

He was cycling along a busy road in Derbyshire when the accident happened on Sunday morning.

He was due to come back to the force and we were ready to welcome him with open arms Police chief David Coleman

His family paid tribute to the man they described as a loving husband and father who would be sorely missed.

The keen cyclist, who had been with the police for nearly 17 years, was undertaking a cycling time trial when he was struck by an articulated lorry.

Derbyshire police chief David Coleman said: "John was a well respected and dedicated officer.

"At the time of his death he was seconded to the National Crime Squad where he had worked since January 1998.

"He was due to come back to the force and we were ready to welcome him with open arms.

"Our sympathies are with John's wife Gaynor and their children Luke, Sarah and Jessica.

His wife Gaynor said in a statement: "He was a loving husband and father who will be missed by all who knew him."