Bus crash: Woman named as family pay tribute

Bethany Jones, 18, was killed and eight women seriously injured when the minibus they were travelling in collided with a lorry on the M62, near Pontefract, West Yorkshire yesterday.

Today tributes have flooded in for the teenager. Her family said: “Beth was a fun and bubbly girl who was caring and considerate to everyone she met. She was the apple of her grandad’s eye and she will never be forgotten and sadly missed by everyone.”

In total 21 women were injured, including the bride-to-be, named in reports as Stefanie Firth, after the group set out from nearby South Elmsall to travel to Liverpool.

Dangerous driving

The driver of the lorry was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail, West Yorkshire Police said.

Of the eight women critically injured, one is in intensive care while seven are described as being in a “serious but stable” condition, a force spokesman said.

The crash, which happened at about 11.30am, left the minibus on its side across a carriageway and luggage strewn across the motorway.

Six air ambulances were called to the scene, close to junction 32 on the westbound carriageway, and four took casualties to nearby hospitals.

Firefighters called the crash “the worst they had seen in a number of years”, Dave Walton, assistant chief fire officer at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said.

Tributes and support

Tributes and messages of support flooded on to Facebook today.

One of the group, Ashleigh Warner, had expressed her excitement about the planned hen party just hours earlier on the social networking site.

She wrote on her Facebook page: “Jumping on the Liverpool status bandwagon ……… Cos I’m sooooooo excited had my tshirt on since 8 this morning:))) hope Stefanie Firth has the best time xxxx”

Holly Jackson wrote on Ms Jones’ Facebook page: “RIP Beth hope ur family are holding up. Xx”

Alexandra Wood wrote on Ms Warner’s Facebook page: “Get well soon ash, thinking of you and your family xxx”

Emma Simon wrote: “Thinking of you all Ash, hope you all make a quick recovery xx”