Minsthorpe Community College principal pays tribute to former students killed in Hemsworth quad bike crash

Minsthorpe Community College principal Ray Henshaw has paid tribute to three of the school’s former pupils who were killed in a horrific quad bike crash.
1 oct 2015...flowers at the scene of a RTA near Hemsworth where four people died when a quad bike collided with a sports car. Picture Scott Merrylees SM1009/67c1 oct 2015...flowers at the scene of a RTA near Hemsworth where four people died when a quad bike collided with a sports car. Picture Scott Merrylees SM1009/67c
1 oct 2015...flowers at the scene of a RTA near Hemsworth where four people died when a quad bike collided with a sports car. Picture Scott Merrylees SM1009/67c

Year-11 student Terrie Kirby died along with former Minsthorpe pupils Ryan Beal, 20, and Alexandra Binns, 18, when their quad bike was hit by a Nissan 350Z sports car on the A6201 between Upton and Hemsworth on Sunday.

Terrie had been celebrating her 16th birthday and flowers and balloons have been left at the side of the road near where the tragedy happened at around 12.30am.

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Former St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School pupil Brandon Brown, 20, was also killed in the collision.

Three of the group died at the scene while one of the men died in hospital from his injuries. All of the victims were from the Upton area.

Mr Henshaw said: “This event has filled us with sadness and we know how hard that it has hit the local community. We are a part of this community and feel for everyone involved. One of the four who died was a current year-11 student and two others were former students. The news is devastating, especially as they were so young and had their whole lives ahead of them. We have been managing the understandable sense of grief in the college.

“Following the earlier news of this devastating loss, I would like to pay my respects to each of the Minsthorpe students. Alexandra Binns, Terrie Kirby and Ryan Beal were popular, lively members of the local community and they had an impact on everyone that they came into contact with.

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“Monday (September 28) was a raw day. All day we made spaces and staff available for young people to talk about their feelings. The students have been truly magnificent, supporting one another in this difficult time.

“Typically, and thoughtfully, students representing Minsthorpe at a number of sporting events this week held a minute’s silence to mark their respect for all four young people.

“The college extends its deepest sympathy to the family, friends and to the entire community at this difficult time. We have been devastated by the news. We are part of a close-knit family, and this affects us all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this sad loss.”

Two men, aged 21 and 22, who were in the Nissan were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone with any information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

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