School 'deeply saddened' by pupil's crash death

A school has said it is "deeply saddened" after one of its students died in a minibus crash in North Yorkshire.

The teenage girl, who was a pupil at Tadcaster Grammar School, was one of nine passengers aged 16 to 18 travelling in the vehicle when it crashed with a Hyundai i10 near Tadcaster Grammar School just before 12:30 GMT on Monday.

In an email to parents seen by the BBC, deputy head teacher Riain Vernon said: "Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy."

Tadcaster Grammar will open as normal on Wednesday, after closing on Tuesday due to the site being "not safe for students".

Mr Vernon said: "We are totally committed to providing every member of our school community with unwavering support and empathy as we come together as one.

"Counsellors and trained staff will be on site throughout the day to support any students processing this news.

"We encourage you to speak with your child this evening. Some students may find this loss particularly difficult."

An assembly would be held for each year group on Wednesday, he said.

The minibus, a white Mercedes Sprinter, was heading towards Sherburn when the light-coloured Hyundai i10 entered Toulston Lane from the Rudgate junction, according to North Yorkshire Police.

The girl died at the scene, the force said.

Another teenage girl was taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries not believed to be life-threatening, while the other passengers and the man driving the minibus received treatment at hospital for minor injuries.

A 40-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the investigation, police said.

Kirsty Poskitt, who represents Tadcaster on North Yorkshire Council, described the girl's death as an "unimaginable tragedy".

Poskitt said it was "an incredibly sad day for our town".

"I want to join others in sending my heartfelt condolences to the young people involved in today's tragic accident and to the family of the young girl who died, you are in my thoughts," she added.

"The loss of any life is a sad time but a life ending so early is truly devastating."

Hayley Allan, a youth worker at The Barn in Tadcaster, said she drove past the scene of the crash shortly after it happened.

"As I pulled up, I saw the car that had obviously been in an accident and what appeared to be a van on its side," she said.

"I do wish I'd stayed to help, however there were three cars that had already stopped and I didn't believe there were more than two people involved.

"It's devastating now knowing the extent of what's happened. The age of the girl that's passed away, she was just starting her life. As a mother, it hits home."

The Rev Ann Fox, from Tadcaster Methodist Church, said the place of worship was open for prayer following the news.

"It's really awful and we offer our prayers to the families and the friends of the girl, and also the school," she said.

"For the emergency services, they do amazing work and we give our thanks to them because it must be harrowing for them."

In a joint statement, David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, said: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the incident on Toulston Lane, Tadcaster and the tragic death of a teenage girl.

"Our condolences go to her family, friends and the whole Tadcaster community, who we know will be pulling together at this incredibly difficult time."

Posting on social media, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, MP for Wetherby & Easingwold, called the news "desperately sad".

A police spokesperson appealed for witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage, to get in touch.

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