Tributes to young women who died in crash near Carlisle
Last updated at 13:52, Friday, 03 December 2010
The two women who died in a crash on the A595 yesterday worked together as beauty therapists at Armathwaite Hall and had been friends since meeting at Carlisle’s Trinity School.
Related: Teenagers killed in van and car crash near Carlisle named
Grace Sarah Simpson, of Prescott Road, Carlisle and Jessica Lakin, of Crosshill Drive, Morton, both 19, were travelling to work just after 9am when their car was in collision with a lorry at Newby Cross, just outside Carlisle.
Grace’s family today paid tribute to a girl who was full of life, loved her family and would do anything for anyone.
She lived with her mum Carole Simpson, adopted father Darren Simpson and siblings Jamie, nine, and four-year-old Georgina, at Longsowerby, Carlisle.
Grace, who was a passenger in the car, also had an older sister Chloe Taylor, 24, and had been with boyfriend Kieron Cleminson since they were 13.
Carole said she was much more than a daughter. “She was my best friend. We were so close, she was always there to offer support and advice. I still can’t believe she’s gone.”
Grace’s dad, Mike Taylor, died in 1999 when she was just a child. Carole later married Darren and Grace became like a daughter to him, so much so that he later adopted her.
“She was just so full of life and had everything going for her. I thought of her as my daughter. Life won’t be the same without her,” he said.
As a child, she initially went to Robert Ferguson primary school but later moved to Cummersdale School until she was 11.
She then went to Caldew School at Dalston but later transferred to Trinity School in Carlisle, which is where she met her friend Jessica.
After leaving school, Grace went to Carlisle College to train to become a beauty therapist – which had always been her dream.
She had worked at Armathwaite Hall Hotel, near Keswick, for 18 months and Carole said she loved it.
On the morning of her death, her mum had begged her not to go to work because of the snow, but Grace was determined not to take the day off.
Carole said: “She loved her job as a beauty therapist, so much so that nothing stopped her going to work, even snow and ice, which sadly cost her her life.”
Grace had several close friends but it was boyfriend and childhood sweetheart Kieron who was at the centre of her life.
“He was her first love, her only love, and they did everything together. They were best friends, like two peas in a pod,” said Carole.
Despite being just 5ft 3in tall, Grace knew how to stand up for herself and her family joke that everyone was scared of her. But underneath they said she was a big softy who would do anything for anyone.
“She was kind-hearted and loved being with her family. She wasn’t one for going out clubbing, she preferred to get into her pyjamas and pink fluffy dressing gown and chill out in front of The X Factor. She was a girlie girl,” said Carole.
Grace was planning to take her driving test later this month, and her and Kieron were saving every penny to visit the Caribbean for a friend’s wedding next year. Older sister Chloe added: “The whole family is devastated by the tragic loss of Grace. She was a much-loved daughter, sister and girlfriend. We will always miss her greatly.”
The family of Jessica described her as “a typical teenager who was loved by all”.
A tribute on behalf of the whole family added: “Jessica was a typical teenager who enjoyed travel, spending time with her boyfriend of three years and meeting up with her friends of which she had many.
“Jessica attended Carlisle College for three years and qualified as a beautician which made the whole family very proud. During this time she worked at Morrisons part time. She was loved by all.”
Dozens of people have been leaving their own messages on The Cumberland News and News & Star websites.
The two girls were travelling out of Carlisle in Jessica’s green Peugeot 206 when the accident happened.
The other vehicle, a Royal Mail lorry, was driven by a 46-year-old man from Carlisle, who was not injured.
A section of the road – the main route from Carlisle to west Cumbria – was closed from 9.20am to 2.30pm.
The accident happened as the city faced its worst December snow in 30 years and temperatures plunged to -8C.
Grace’s family said they have been told that the accident was probably caused by black ice.
Highways bosses have since insisted that the A595 had been regularly gritted. A full investigation is still underway.
The coroner has been informed and inquests will be opened in due course.
Leave your tributes to Jessica Lakin and Grace Sarah Simpson below
First published at 13:47, Friday, 03 December 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Thinking of you everyday grace,you didn't deserve to be taken away from your family like that, lifes so cruel to take away a sweet, young, polite and pretty girl like u! Rest in peace grace, love dee and baby alfie xxxxx
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SO MUCH LEFT UNSAID I THINK ABOUT U EVERY DAY JESS MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOUR MAM, SISTER, DAD STACEY ANNE ASHLEY PAIGE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO KNEW U PERSONALLY INCLUDING MYSELF IM SURE THAT WE WUD ALL AGREE U WERE JUST PURE DIAMOND ONE IN A MILLION AND I WILL TAKE UR MEMORY TO MY GRAVE I WILL NEVER FORGET U SLEEP WELL WE WILL ALL SEE U SOON XXXXXXXXXXX
Posted by anon on 3 April 2012 at 20:38