Dad speaks of pain over Katelyn loss
THE dad of crash victim Katelyn Dawson has spoken of the family’s pain 12 months on from the tragedy.
Speaking at a vigil last night attended by as many as 200 people, Colin Dawson, 46, said he was delighted so many people had turned out to remember his daughter.
Hugging his wife Angela and daughter Stevie, he said: “It does help, it really does. It’s amazing to know that so many of Katelyn’s friends are there for her and that’s what it’s all about.
“People say time is a healer but it’s not at all. If anything the pain just gets worse.”
A year ago the Huddersfield community was shocked to the core at news a schoolgirl had been hit by a car while waiting for her school bus.
The town was praying she would come through – but the tragic news broke that Katelyn, aged just 15, had died.
Like any other morning, she had been standing at the bus stop in Wakefield Road, Moldgreen, waiting to catch her bus to Shelley College.
Sadly her young life was cut short when the BMW 5 Series ploughed into the bus stop.
She was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary but was pronounced dead later that day.
The crash also saw a 17-year-old girl badly hurt, and left 47-year-old Christine Crawshaw with serious injuries.
The 51-year-old driver of the BMW was also injured.
Last night – on the first anniversary of the tragedy – friends and strangers alike gathered at her memorial in Wakefield Road to remember the popular teenager, known for her love of dancing.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the file was still with the Crown Prosecution Service, which is deciding whether any charges will be brought against the driver – meaning Katelyn’s loved ones are still waiting for answers as to how the tragedy occurred.