Crash death girl’s family devastated
Police probe petrol station incident
THE family of a teenager knocked down and killed on a petrol station forecourt have said they are devastated at her death.
Eilish Herron, 17, was struck as she filled her car at the Asda garage in Linwood, Renfrewshire, on Wednesday afternoon.
The teenager, from nearby Paisley, had left school this summer and had only recently passed her test.
Police Scotland s ai d the teenager was struck by a Ford Focus that collided with her Renault Clio while she was filling it with fuel at around 2.30pm. The other motorist was not injured.
In a statement released through police, her family said: “We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter Eilish. We just cannot believe that we will not see her again. She was a lovely girl, a good daughter, sister, granddaughter and a great friend to those who knew her. She had so much to live for and we will miss her terribly.
“We are very grateful for the thoughts and kind words already given. However, we would ask that we be allowed to have the time to grieve as a family at this very, very sad and difficult time.”
Ms Herron was a keen and talented netball player who had recently left St Andrew’s Academy in Paisley and had been accepted to study nursing at Robert Gordon University. She was due to start her course later this month.
Kevin Henry, headteacher at her former school, said: “Eilish was a wonderful student and very popular with both her peers and the staff of the school.
“Her death is a tragic loss. Eilish and her family will be in the thoughts and prayers of all in the school.”
Mr Henry said Eilish had enjoyed six very successful and happy years at school.
The headteacher said: “She was a talented sportswoman and had been recognised in 2013 as Renfrewshire Young Sportsperson of the Year.
“She gave much of her own time to coaching younger students in the school. Eilish was a great role model for our pupils.
“Staff and the school chaplain will be available to students who require any support.”
Eilish, who had a younger brother, Neil, was a founder member of Paisley Junior Netball Team and her coaching skills were in demand from schools across Renfrewshire after she started teaching the sport when she was only 14. She had been playing since she was eight.
A spokeswoman for Paisley Netball Club said: “She was the most bubbly, helpful, attractive and enthusiastic girl.
“Nothing was too much trouble for her.
“She was a tremendous player and an incredible coach and she was a wonderful ambassador for the sport.
“Her family should be very proud that she was such an amazing young woman.”
Flowers and c ar ds were left at the scene of the tragedy while her friends wrote tributes on the social media site Twitter. A Facebook page was also set up in her name for people to leave their own messages.
One wrote: “One of the most amazing girls I know – you were like a big sister. Love you forever and always my angel.”
Another said she was “such a lovely girl”, taken in “such a devastating way”. “Thoughts go out to her family and friends,” the message added.
An Asda spokeswoman said: “This is a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the families of those involved. We will support police in their investigation.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said any witnesses to the accident should contact road policing officers in Renfrew.
A report on the circumstances wil l be submitted to t he procurator-fiscal.