PC Mark Murtagh named as policeman killed in crash with bus
A police officer who died after his motorbike was in a collision with a bus has been named as PC Mark Murtagh.
The officer was on his way to work when his motorcycle collided with the bus at about 07:00 on Friday, on the A6105 near Earlston in the Borders.
PC Murtagh was based at Galashiels Police Station.
In a statement, his family paid tribute to him, saying: "Mark was a caring and loving husband, a devoted father and will be greatly missed."
Chief Superintendent Gillian Imery said: "Our sympathies are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time."
PC Murtagh received a Lothian and Borders Police Meritorious award four years ago for helping to detain an armed man who had taken a woman hostage in her own home in Broxburn, West Lothian.
The woman managed to escape but PC Murtagh and three colleagues were confronted with a man who threw a knife and charged at them with broken glass.
He was praised for his courage in managing to deal with the incident with no-one being seriously injured.