SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Young woman dies in river plunge crash

A COMMUNITY is in mourning after the tragic death of a young South Petherton woman over the weekend.

Police have this morning (Monday, October 20, 2014) confirmed that a 19-year-old woman died as a result of  a road crash which happened early yesterday (Sunday, October 19, 2014).

The victim has not officially been named by police, but locally she has been named as Katie Bagwell.

Tributes have been posted on the Facebook social media site with a page named In Loving Memory of Katie Ann Bagwell.

“We have lost a beautiful and amazing girl,” said a message. “The most kindest and unselfish person I know.

“We are absolutely devastated and there will never a day that goes by where we don’t think about Katie. Our lives will never be the same again.”

A police spokesman told the Yeovil Press this morning: “We are appealing for witnesses following the death of a woman after the car in which she was travelling ended up submerged in the River Parrett.

"The male driver managed to escape from the vehicle in the incident which happened near to Martock during the early hours of yesterday morning (Sunday, October 19, 2014)."

The man, aged 21, and woman, 19, were in the car which was travelling along Broadmead near to the junction with Hawthorn Hill in the direction of Gawbridge Bow at about 1.10am.

The car left the road and entered the River Parrett.

The driver managed to escape, but the teenage passenger was trapped in the submerged vehicle. She was declared dead at the scene.

The road was closed for a detailed examination by collision investigators and re-opened at about 8.30am.

The police spokesman added: “The driver was later arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and has been released on police bail, pending further enquiries.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident, who may have information to help our enquiries."

If you can help contact the collision investigation unit on the force number 101.

Tags:
News.