Steve Jones, Emily Johnson & Seb CheerYorkshire
Seb Cheer/The death of a teenage girl in a minibus crash close to a school has been described as “truly devastating” by a councillor.
The girl was among nine passengers aged 16 to 18 travelling in the vehicle when it was involved in a collision with a Hyundai i10 near Tadcaster Grammar School just before 12:30 GMT on Monday, police said.
Kirsty Poskitt, who represents Tadcaster on North Yorkshire Council, described the girl’s death as an “unimaginable tragedy”.
The minibus, which appeared to have ended up on its side, was removed overnight with the road still closed as investigations continued. A 40-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the investigation, police said.
The minibus, a white Mercedes Sprinter, was heading towards Sherburn when the light-coloured Hyundai i10 entered Toulston Lane from the Rudgate junction, according to a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police.
The girl died at the scene, they confirmed.
Another teenage girl was taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries not believed to be life-threatening, while the other passengers and the man driving the minibus received treatment at hospital for minor injuries.
Poskitt said it was “an incredibly sad day for our town”.
“I want to join others in sending my heartfelt condolences to the young people involved in today’s tragic accident and to the family of the young girl who died, you are in my thoughts,” she added.
“The loss of any life is a sad time but a life ending so early is truly devastating.”
Hayley Allan, a youth worker at The Barn in Tadcaster, said she drove past the scene of the crash shortly after it happened.
“As I pulled up, I saw the car that had obviously been in an accident and what appeared to be a van on its side,” she said.
“I do wish I’d stayed to help, however there were three cars that had already stopped and I didn’t believe there were more than two people involved.
“It’s devastating now knowing the extent of what’s happened. The age of the girl that’s passed away, she was just starting her life. As a mother, it hits home.”
Reverend Ann Fox, from Tadcaster Methodist Church, said the place of worship would be open for prayer from 10:00 GMT until 11:30 following the news.
“It’s really awful and we offer our prayers to the families and the friends of the girl, and also the school,” she said.
“For the emergency services, they do amazing work and we give our thanks to them because it must be harrowing for them.”
Posting on social media, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, MP for Wetherby & Easingwold, called the news “desperately sad”.
The police spokesperson appealed for witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage, to get in touch.
In a message sent to parents, Tadcaster Grammar School said it would be shut on Tuesday as the site “will not be safe for students”.