The family of a "caring and considerate" Leeds woman who tragically died in a car crash at the weekend have paid tribute to her in a heart-breaking statement.
Alice Birchall, 22, was driving on Manston Lane near Crossgates on Saturday, June 18, when she was critically injured in a collison just before 8.43pm. She sadly later died in hospital.
Alice's family have now spoken out about their devastation. Alice, from Crossgates, was a carer to her younger sister Amy after their parents died when they were younger, and was due to start her dream job in just two weeks.
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In a statement, Alice’s family said: “Alice was the most caring and considerate young women you would ever wish to meet. The passing of both her mum and dad at a young age meant that Alice matured quickly and became a guardian to her younger sister Amy. She protected Amy with her whole heart and cared for her so very well.
“Alice is loved by more than an army of people. Alice’s life was finally coming together, she had graduated from university with a history degree and she had just secured her dream job working in fine jewellery, which she was due to start in two weeks’ time.
“Alice was the happiest she had ever been with her whole future in front of her. This incident has left Amy devastated at the loss of her guardian but more importantly her best friend. The whole family is in shock and have no words that could truly understand the cruelty of the situation. Alice deserved so much better than what happened.”
The crash involved Alice's grey Nissan Juke and a grey Audi RS Q3. The Audi driver, 34, and the eight-year-old girl who was a passenger in the Audi are still in hospital with serious injuries.
West Yorkshire Police's Major Collison Enquiry Team continue to investigate the crash, and are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash or the preceding circumstances to get in touch.
Police are particularly keen to hear from anyone with vehicle dashcam or home CCTV or doorbell camera footage showing the grey Audi RS Q3 on the route it took along Whitkirk Lane, Austhorpe Lane and Manston Lane in the direction of William Parkin Way and The Springs retail park, between about 8.35pm and the time of the collision shortly before 8.43pm on Saturday, June 18.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team via 101 quoting Operation Pearlmere reference 13220330463 via 101 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat
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