A family is heartbroken this Christmas after a teenage girl died following a road accident in which four others were also injured.
Alexandra Tattersall, aged just 16, was a passenger in a blue Volkswagen Polo involved in a collision with a red Nissan Micra on Manley Road, near Helsby, about 4.20pm on Wednesday, December 16.
She and the Polo’s 22-year-old female driver were taken by ambulance to Liverpool’s Aintree Hospital where the teenager’s condition had previously been described as critical but she sadly died on Friday.
A 72-year-old woman, a passenger in the Micra, was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital with serious injuries following the accident. The 70-year-old male driver of the Micra and a second passenger, an 11-year-old girl, were taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital with minor injuries.
Yesterday (Saturday December 19) news began to emerge that Alex had passed away after a tribute was posted on the Helsby High School website where she had been a sixth form student and flowers began appearing outside the school.
The school is now closed for the Christmas break but will open its doors tomorrow morning so friends and staff can sign a special book of condolence ‘in recognition of Alex and the esteem in which she was held’.
Alex is believed to have lived at Manley, near the scene of the tragic accident, with her mum Debbie, a teaching assistant at Manley Village School and is understood to have two sisters.
The Helsby High School statement reads: “All staff and students of Helsby High School are devastated to learn of the death of one of our community, Alex Tattersall. Alex, a year 12 student, was a vibrant, intelligent, warm and inspiring young person and her loss is a shattering blow to our community. Our thoughts are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“In recognition of Alex and the esteem in which she was held, the school hall will be open on Monday 21 December 2015 between 9.30am-12.30pm, where a book of condolence will be opened for all students, former students and staff, who wish to, to come into school to pay their respects.
“If anyone wishes to lay flowers the family request that no flowers are placed at the site of the accident but they would be welcome to place them in school on Monday, arranged inside the hall close to the book of condolence, or if earlier they can come to the garden and place them in her favourite spot.”
Bouquets of flowers and tributes have already been left outside the school. One, by school friend Beth Smyth, reads: “To the most kind, beautiful girl. You have touched everyone blessed to have known you.”
She added: “We will never ever forget you. With love forever.”
Louise Garner wrote online in tribute: “I drove through Helsby this morning and saw groups of young people with flowers walking towards the school and people standing at the gates holding each other. It was like a pilgrimage of love and respect. Such an emotional thing to witness. Such a tragic shocking thing to happen. Our hearts go out to her friends and family. Thoughts and prayers.”
Ali Dee wrote: “So sad. I remember Alex to be a lovely student. Thoughts go to her family, friends and Helsby staff at this sad time. x”
While Helen Haywood commented: “What terribly sad news. Alex was a lovely student with a cracking sense of humour who I remember fondly. All my love and best wishes to her family and many friends. x”
Five ambulances and two rapid response vehicles attended the scene of the collision along with fire crews from Frodsham, Runcorn and Widnes. The junction remained closed until 10pm on Wednesday. With serious collisions it is usual for police to carry out an accident investigation at the scene in the immediate aftermath.
Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 636 of December 16.
