Two teenagers from a school in the Cotswolds have died following a fatal crash near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire on Friday (April 21). Emergency services, including four air ambulances, were called at around 4.10pm to a two-vehicle collision on the B4035 Campden Road, near to the Portobello Crossroads.
The collision involved a Ford Fiesta and a Fiat 500. A 17-year-old boy and a 16 year-old girl from the Fiesta, who were both airlifted to hospital, have since died. Their next of kin have been informed.
The teenagers were students at Chipping Campden School in Gloucestershire and it is understood they were returning home from school when the incident occurred. A letter sent by principal John Sanderson to parents reveals the "devastating news" and the "profound and far-reaching feelings of loss and grief" within the community.
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A 16-year-old boy in the same vehicle who was also airlifted to hospital remains in a life-threatening condition. The fourth occupant of the Fiesta, a 17-year-old boy, is in a stable condition following surgery. Three occupants from the Fiat – a woman and two children - all sustained serious injuries and are in a stable condition in hospital.
Inspector Michael Huntley from Warwickshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "This is a tragic incident involving several young people, and our thoughts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, to those who have been injured, and to the local community who may have been affected by this incident. Specially-trained family liaison officers are currently supporting the families involved, and we would ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time.
"Specialist officers are carrying out a detailed investigation to piece together the circumstances of the collision, and we are working with our partner agencies and the local authority. We would ask anyone who has not yet spoken to us to please get in touch, especially if you were travelling in the area and may have any information or dashcam footage. Anyone with any information is asked to call Warwickshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 248 of 21 April 2023."
A letter sent by principal John Sanderson to parents on Saturday (April 22) states: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to you about the events of Friday afternoon, events that have shaken our tight-knit community. On their journey home from school, four of our students in Year 12 were involved in a serious road traffic collision on the road between Chipping Campden and Shipston.
"In conjunction with Warwickshire Police my colleagues and I worked throughout the early evening to try and accurately establish the names of the students involved so their families could be informed and supported. I regret that I have no knowledge of the occupants of the other vehicle.
"On Saturday I was given the devastating news by the police leading the investigation into yesterday's events that two of the critically ill students had tragically lost their lives, while one other remained in a critical and life-threatening condition and the other in a serious but stable condition. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with the families and friends of all those involved.
"The school is one part of a very close, caring and supportive community and I am acutely aware of how profound and far-reaching the feelings of loss and grief will be. I also know how strong and compassionate our community is an take solace from the knowledge that none of us will be left to journey through the darkness of the coming days alone."
The letter adds: "We understand how important it may be for some of our students, past and present, to some together in a safe and supportive space. We plan to open the school at 2pm on Sunday for a couple of hours.
"Senior school staff and the Sixth Form teams will be in attendance to help and support those who want to come together at this exceptionally sad time. We will also be opening books of condolence to enable students to share their memories as well as their pain.
"The author of the biblical book Ecclesiastes wrote that there is a time and season for everthing under the sun, including a time to grieve and a time to mourn. Sadly, this is just such a time."
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