[T]he headteacher of Millom School has paid tribute to two teenagers who died following a road traffic collision on the A595 at Bootle, on Friday 14th July.
Police were called at 7.55pm on Friday, 14th July, following a two vehicle collision at Bootle, on the A595.
Skye Olivia Mitchell, 18-years-old from Millom, who was driving a Green Toyota Yaris, and her front seat passenger Caitlin Lydia Huddlestone, also 18-years-old, from The Green, Millom, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The back seat passenger, an 18-year-old local women was taken to hospital a critical condition. The 51-year-old, local man, the driver of the Ford Transit was seriously injured.
Headteacher of Millom School, Matthew Savidge said:”This is a tragedy that has left us deeply shocked and saddened. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families and friends of Skye and Caitlin and also with the family of the young woman being treated in hospital, who we hope will recover.
“Skye was a vibrant and exciting personality with such huge potential in the world of the media. She represented exactly what we would want our young adults to be; motivated, responsible, outward-looking and committed. She was open to any opportunity that came her way, from STEM to Dream Placement to presiding over Presentations Evening. To all of these she gave her unique style. As a young person she was warm, compassionate and full of an effervescent charm which drew others to her. She was a loyal and trusted friend to those around her, as well as thoughtful and kind, even to those who did not know her personally. She worked hard and knew her future was going to be exceptionally bright. We will miss her enormously.
“Caitlin left the school two years ago. Staff have described her as a credit to her family and the school. She was engaging, courteous and graceful, softly spoken, yet quietly determined. She was blessed with a wonderful smile which was quick to emerge even during challenging times. A wonderful young woman and such a tragic loss.
“Millom is a close-knit community and we are coming together as a school to remember the girls. We have books of condolence in which staff and students will record their memories and thoughts about Skye and Caitlin and which we will pass onto the families. The Local Authority are supporting the school with counsellors who are available to talk to students and staff who feel that they need this support.
“This is a very difficult time for the school and the local community and it is at times such as this that the community needs to, and will, come together to support those affected. Millom School will do everything we can to help the community grieve for and, when ready, celebrate the lives of Skye and Caitlin.”
Graham Wilkinson, Principal at Kendal College, said: “All of us at Kendal College are extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the devastating accident that claimed Caitlin’s young life. All of our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with her family and friends and we will be doing everything we can to support her fellow students and our staff through this difficult time.
“Caitlin had been studying Business at the College and finished last July (2016). She was a wonderful, hard-working young woman who travelled from her home in The Green to Kendal most days. Tutors recognised her knowledge and potential and were confident that she would have achieved her dream to work in fashion had her future not been so cruelly taken away. Caitlin will be remembered by us as a really decent, honest, and kind person who definitely had a bright future ahead.
“When a student dies in such sudden circumstances, the effects across our close knit College community are widespread; from our students to our tutors who had spent precious time encouraging them to develop, learn and grow. We are hurting now and will need time to grieve over the coming days and weeks. It is a very sad time.”
Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident who has yet to come forward. Contact police on 101, or email 101@cumbria.police.uk, quoting log 230 of the 14th July.
