Man's thanks after wife and daughter hit by tractor

Man's thanks after wife and daughter hit by tractor

Alex Moss - Yorkshire

Fri, January 2, 2026 at 5:26 PM UTC

2 min read

A man has thanked the "amazing people" who came to the aid of his wife and daughter after they were hit by a tractor while walking through a market town on New Year's Eve.

Gerry Rogerson said his wife Ali was trapped under the tractor's wheels while 22-year-old Izzy was "catapulted into metal railings" after they were struck on Bridge Street in Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

Mr Rogerson, who lives in nearby Stonegrave, said the family had been out for brunch with a friend and were walking on the pavement when they were hit from behind.

He said: "The scene was so traumatic that many of the dozens of people who came to help were covered in blood and we are so thankful for what they did."

Describing the moments leading up to the collision on Wednesday afternoon, the 58-year-old architect said after their meal, he had gone to see a colleague nearby while his wife and daughter walked to a shop.

"We split up for a short time and then the next thing my name was being called out by a stranger.

"There was my wife on the floor and my daughter just yards away on the floor and there was blood all over.

"There were these amazing people who just came to help. It must have been so hard for them because of the horror of it all."

Mr Rogerson said the impact of the collision had catapulted Izzy into some metal railings and that one of the spikes had penetrated her eyelid.

Meanwhile, his 57‑year‑old wife, a teacher at Ampleforth College, was trapped under the tractor by her leg.

They were both taken to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, with Izzy having suffered a head wound and skull fracture and Mrs Rogerson crush injuries to her muscles and ligaments.

Mr Rogerson said: "We are all in a a state of shock. I haven't really eaten since it happened and Izzy and Ali are having awful flashbacks.

"Out of something so horrible though has been the amount of messages and care people have shown."

Mr Rogerson said it was hoped both women would be discharged from hospital in the next few days but their recovery would take some time.

"Izzy is in her fourth year studying architecture at Bath University and she was supposed to be going back next week but now that will change.

"Ali also was supposed to be back at work next week and she's worrying about letting her students down."

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to get in touch.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

Man's thanks after wife and daughter hit by tractor

Man's thanks after wife and daughter hit by tractor

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