Teenage girl killed by refuse lorry on way to get GCSE results » Local government » 24dash.com

A teenage girl was knocked down and killed by a refuse lorry as she went to collect her GCSE results today.

The 16-year-old, named by police as Esther Bush from Cwmparc, was run over by the council vehicle at around 9am near to her school Ysgol Gyfun Treorci in the Rhondda, South Wales.

Police sources said it was understood she had been on her way to get her results. No-one was immediately available at the school for comment.

Paramedics treated the girl while she was trapped under the vehicle on Conway Street, Cwmparc, until crews from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service freed her.

She was taken to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant but died later.

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust said they had a crew and a rapid response vehicle at the scene within three minutes of the call. An air ambulance also arrived at the scene.

A spokeswoman for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council confirmed a refuse collection truck, driven by an employee, was involved in the incident.

She added: "The situation is very much in the hands of the police."

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: "Officers remain at the scene and a full investigation is under way. One man is helping police with their inquiries."

A spokesman for the local authority said: "Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is currently assisting the ongoing South Wales Police investigation into this morning's tragedy, in which a young girl died following an incident involving a local authority vehicle.

"Investigations remain very much ongoing at this time. As such, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

"We are fully co-operating with the police and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the girl's family and friends at this time."

A man at Esther's mother's home in Vicarage Terrace, Cwmparc, said the family was too upset to speak today.

Shocked onlookers said they believed the teenager was rushing to catch up with friends on their way to Treorchy Comprehensive School when the accident happened.

Pauline Coburn, 58, who lives on Park Road, where Esther lived with father Laurie, brother Michael and 11-year-old sister Rebecca, said: "I must have been one of the last to see her this morning.

"She came out of her house and we said good morning to each other. She got across the road and then started running to catch up with her friends to get their GCSE results.

"Her friends had called for her when she wasn't quite ready, so she told them to go ahead and that she would catch them up.

"She was so excited and happy. Her dad said she had been excited about getting her results.

"She was always dancing, and I think she had taken exams in dance and drama. I think it's what she wanted to do as a career.

"She was such a nice girl."

Ashley Taylor, 16, a fellow pupil of Esther's, was doing a paper round as the tragedy unfolded.

He said: "I passed her on my way down the street. All I saw was the truck reversing, and then I heard loud screaming.

"To be honest I thought an animal had been run over, not a human, because the screaming was so loud.

"Like every other teenager here, she was going to get her results. It was meant to be a happy day.

"She was a quiet person and was really friendly. She loved being around her friends and family."

He said he hoped the accident would make other people take care on roads in the local area.

Heather Shepherd, 62, who lives two doors away from Esther's family on Park Road, said: "We will all miss her. It's a terrible way for anyone to die.

"She was just your average teenager. She was full of life, always singing and dancing.

"It's just been an awful shock. We can't believe what has happened. I saw her cross the road this morning, and that was it.

"She was a little bit late getting ready this morning, and was probably catching up with her friends. All it takes is a second."

Joy Bishop, headteacher at Parc Primary School, remembered Esther as a "smashing little girl".

She said: "Esther was a former pupil with us, she was a very kind and helpful girl.

"She was happiest when she was talking to, or being with, her family.

"She was much loved by all of the pupils and staff. We have all been very upset for the family today, on what should have been a very happy day in her life.

"Our hearts go out to the family. It's tragic and devastating news and it will be hard for the community to cope.

"We send her family our deepest sympathy and love."