Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Tributes to West athlete who died on morning run
THE close-knit sports community in Bath was yesterday in mourning over the death of a young athlete who died while out running on Wednesday morning.
Natasha Lewis, who previously represented Great Britain in bobsleigh, was a keen triathlete and previously competed at a national level in the 200 metres and at long jump.
She was out for an early morning run on the A367 south west of Bath, on Wednesday morning when she was in collision with a car.
Parademics rushed to the scene at Clandown, near Peasedown St John, but she was pronounced dead at the scene at around 6am.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal crash and has subsequently been released under investigation.
Natasha, known as Tash, was an integral member of the Team Bath athletics community for many years.
In a statement the club said: “Our community is deeply shocked and saddened at the passing of long-term member Natasha Lewis, following a tragic accident involving a car whilst out running early on Wednesday morning.
“Natasha was a formidable character and athlete. Still in her 20s, over the years she competed at a national level at many different disciplines including Long Jump and 200m. She went onto represent GBR in Bobsleigh, and triathlon.
“More recently she excelled at long distance running under the guidance of coach Tom Craggs and was aiming for elite status, with dreams of another national vest.”
She ran a personal training business and gym with her long-term partner and fiancé Dave Bowler.
Team Bath said she inspired and coached countless others to achieve their fitness goals.
It added: “She was incredibly determined and committed, full of life and positive energy. Behind her steely determination she was kind, caring and fun.
“This is an incredibly tragic loss of an incredible young lady with so much to live for. Our love and thoughts are with her family who are suffering from unimaginable shock and loss.”
Bath Rugby Club also paid tribute to Tash, saluting her work with its charitable foundation.
The rugby club said: “This week, our community feels the sudden and very tragic loss of Natasha Lewis.
“She was a truly incredible woman whose light shone so brightly and whose positive impact touched so many in such a beautiful way.
“Tash and her partner Dave set up ‘Get Fit in Bath’ eight years ago with one clear aim – to create a community where people can come together to exercise and feel a part of their family.
“They did this in spades, and through our Foundation, we were privileged enough to know them both. They were due to become our official charity ambassadors to recognise the incredible impact they made through community building and fundraising.
“It’s now our turn to wrap our arms around them as they have with us so many times.”
A Go Fund Me page has been set up in loving memory of Tash and to support Dave while he takes some time away from the gym.
To remember Tash, Dave would also like to use the donations to support athletes who need running shoes and to help push other athletes on to greater things and share the same love for running that Tash did.
Donations can be made via https://www.gofundme.com/f/inloving-memory-of-tash-lewis
As we went to press last night donations of almost £30,000 had been made already.