PICTURED: School sixth form friends aged 17 and 16 killed in crash

PICTURED: Three school sixth form friends aged 17 and 16 killed in horror car crash as fourth is critically injured

  • The devastating smash happened on Friday in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire
  • Harry Purcell, 17, Matilda Seccombe, 16, and Frank Wormald, 16, all died in crash

Three teenagers who were killed in a horror car crash which left a fourth in hospital with serious injuries have been pictured for the first time.

Emergency services raced to the smash on the B4035 near Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire at around 4.10pm on Friday after a Ford Fiesta carrying the teens hit a Fiat 500.

Harry Purcell, 17,  Matilda Seccombe, 16, and Frank Wormald, 16, were all killed in the crash. They were sixth-form pupils at Chipping Campden High School in Gloucestershire.

Edward Spencer, 17, was rushed to hospital and needed surgery. A woman and two children travelling in the Fiat all sustained serious injuries but are now in a stable condition. 

Chipping Campden High School’s Principal John Sanderson has since paid tribute to the three victims of the tragedy, hailing them as ‘unique and remarkable’.

Harry Purcell, 17, Matilda Seccombe, 16, (pictured) and Frank Wormald, 16, were all killed in the crash. They were sixth-form pupils at Chipping Campden High School in Gloucestershire

A Go Fund Me page, set up by an ex-pupil of the school has since been set up to raise money for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity

Emergency services raced to the crash on the B4035 near Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire at around 4.10pm on Friday after a Ford Fiesta carrying the teens hit a Fiat 500

In a letter to parents, he said: ‘There are no words that I can find to express the sense of loss that we feel, both as a community and for Harry’s, Tilly’s, and Frank’s families and close friends.

‘Each one of these young people has been part of our extended school family and each loss is felt profoundly. In time, I would like to try and find the words to pay tribute to each of the young people we have lost, as each was remarkable and unique, having touched the lives of so many in such profound ways.

‘This is a very difficult time for us all but there is strength and hope in knowing we walk it together.’ 

 A Go Fund Me page, set up by an ex-pupil of the school has since been set up to raise money for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

In the last 12 hours, more than £36,000 has been raised in memory of Harry, Matilda and Frank.

Writing on the donation site, Alex Adams, 17, wrote: ‘My name is Alex, a 17 year old ex-student at Chipping Campden school. On the 21st April, 3 close friends and school mates sadly passed away and another critically injured after a devastating car crash on their way back from school. 

‘A total of four air ambulances attended the scene, two of which from the Midland Air Ambulance service. In aid of this, fellow close friends and school mates, Gracie, Taylor and myself are running the Oxford Half Marathon on the 15th October to raise money for this amazing service, and help them in saving lives in and around our community in the future.

‘Us three teenagers will do everything we can to help this service save as many lives as possible so close communities like ours don’t have to suffer with loss. We hope you can join us in helping out this amazing service.’ 

The Bakers Arms in Chipping Camden, where Frank worked for over three years, said it would be closed this lunchtime in memory of the 17-year-old.

A post on Facebook a tribute said: ‘We are all numb with the shock of the devastating news from last Fridays’ events, and the sadness that we are feeling at the loss of these youngsters in our community.

Harry Purcell, 17,  Matilda Seccombe, 16, Frank Wormald, 16, all died in the crash. Edward Spencer, 17, survived and remains in hospital. They all attended  Chipping Campden High School (pictured)

The two-vehicle smash on the B4035 near Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, at around 4.10pm on Friday. The teens were travelling in a Ford Fiesta when it collided with a Fiat 500 on Friday afternoon. Pictured is a general view close to the scene of the tragedy

‘Frank Wormald had worked with us for over 3 years and quickly fitted in as one of our own. Always cheerful and kind and a lovely cheeky demeanour that we will all miss beyond words, an amazing young man who was very special to us.

‘To the families involved, we would just like to say how sorry we are for your loss and that we are keeping you all in our thoughts.’

Inspector Michael Huntley from Warwickshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said specialist officers would be carrying out a ‘detailed’ probe into what caused the fatal smash. 

He added: ‘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.’

News of the tragedy sparked an outpouring of grief online, as people paid tribute to the three young victims.

One woman said: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking. The worst news a parent can get. May the love and support carry you through this very difficult time.’ 

A number of the teenagers also attended Blackminster Middle School, in South Littleton, Worcestershire, together.

In a statement on social media, the school said: ‘A number of our former students attend Chipping Campden High School and we know that some of our families will be affected by this awful news. The thoughts of all of us at Blackminster are with Chipping Campden today.’

Business minister Nigel Huddleston, Tory MP for Mid Worcestershire, added: ‘Terrible news for the Chipping Campden School and our local community as three students are killed in a car accident.

‘My heart goes out to all those impacted and my thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones at such an early age.’

Chipping Campden High School’s Principal John Sanderson (pictured) has since paid tribute to the three victims of the tragedy, hailing them as ‘unique and remarkable’

Business minister Nigel Huddleston, Tory MP for Mid Worcestershire, took to social media on Monday to pay tribute to the three teens killed in the crash 

Chipping Campden High School has set aside an area next to the flagpole for members of the community to lay flowers and messages of condolence, with the school flag at half-mast.

Youngsters and staff gathered on Sunday afternoon to offer support to one another as books of condolence were opened for each of the students.

Pupils returning to school yesterday were being offered support by counsellors from Gloucestershire’s Education Psychology team.

‘I’m very conscious that we will need to take each day at a time but wanted to express my sincere thanks for the professional and personal help and advice that has been offered to us at school over the last 48 hours,’ said Mr Sanderson. ‘This is a very difficult time for us all but there is strength and hope in knowing we walk it together.’

He said that all at the school ‘hope and pray that Edward will make good progress in recovering from his injuries over the coming weeks and months. Edward and his family are very much in our thoughts.’

Warwickshire Police is urging anyone with information about the crash to contact them on 101, quoting incident number 248 of April 21 2023.

In particular, officers are appealing to speak to anyone travelling in the area who might have dashcam footage close to the time of the incident. 

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