Students killedin tragic road crash
TWO students from North Warwickshire and Hinckley College were among three teens killed in a road smash.
Teenage sweethearts Ryan Barber, 19, and Trudi-Mae Kennell, 18, died when the car they were travelling in smashed into a tree on Sunday afternoon.
Their 18-year old friend Will Louch also died in the crash and another 18-year old suffered serious injuries, but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The four teens were returning from a trip to Snowdonia in North Wales when the smash happened in Atherstone.
Ryan and Trudi-Mae, described as the “perfect couple”, are believed to have been in the front seats of his BMW 3 series.
On Monday (July 17) the principal and chief executive of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, Marion Plant, paid tribute to the “model students”.
She said that the college community was “deeply saddened and shocked” by the news and extended “our heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences” to the Ryan and Trudi-Mae’s families and friends.
She added: “Both Ryan and Trudi-Mae attended the Nuneaton Campus of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, Ryan as an apprentice on day release and Trudi-Mae had just finished her second year extended diploma in sport and exercise science.
“Trudi-Mae was a lovely girl, she was a diligent and hardworking student.
“She was a model student, did everything that was asked because she wanted to be successful and achieve her potential.
“She got on well with everyone and was deciding if she wanted to do an apprenticeship or go to university. She was always smiling and will be very much missed.
“Ryan was an engineering apprentice and attended the college on day release. His attendance was excellent and he was making excellent progress.
“Like Trudi-Mae he was very popular and will also be sadly missed.
“Although term has ended, the college remains open and welcomes any student who wishes to come and sign the book of condolence which has been opened.
“Staff will be providing support for all our students following this tragic event.”
Ryan’s mother Tammi Garcia Sanchez, who married last month, wrote a heartbreaking tribute to her only child on Facebook.
She wrote: “It’s with a broken heart... That my baby boy Ryan Barber passed away yesterday afternoon in a car accident along with his beautiful girlfriend...
“I’m so sorry the people who are reading this that I haven’t told... My heart is broken and I’m not sure how life will carry on without my baby boy.”
An 18-year old woman, who was driving another car, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
She has been released “under investigation” by Warwickshire Police while an investigation continues.
Warwickshire Police has launched an appeal for witnesses following the crash on Sunday at about 4.40pm.
It happened at The Common, between Merevale Lane and Waste Lane near Atherstone.
Sgt Carl Stafford, from Warwickshire Police, said: “We continue to urge anyone who witnessed the collision, or saw the BMW or any other vehicle travelling shortly beforehand, to contact police as soon as possible on 101 quoting reference 282 of 16 July.
“We request that the privacy of the families is respected at this very difficult time.”