SCHOOL communities were in mourning this week following the death of three teenagers in a car crash near Shipston.
Harry Purcell, 17, and Matilda Seccombe, 16, died on Saturday (April 22) following the crash on the B4035 Campden Road, near to Portobello Crossroads.
A third pupil, Frank Wormald, was confirmed to have died on Sunday (April 23) due to his injuries.
The crash happened at around 4.10pm on Friday (April 21) and involved two cars – a Fiat 500 and a Ford Fiesta – which the three teenagers had been travelling in.
A fourth teenager who had been in the vehicle, Edward Spencer, remains in a serious but stable condition.
The principals of Chipping Campden School and Alcester Grammar School paid tribute this week.
All four teenagers were sixth formers at Chipping Campden School at the time of the crash, while Matilda was previously a pupil at Alcester Grammar.
A letter written by principal John Sanderson on Sunday (April 23) reads: “As a community we continue to hurt deeply, as the tragedy of this weekend’s events begin to sink in.
“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.
“We continue to hope and pray that he 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.
“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.
“This is a very difficult time for us all but there is strength and hope in knowing we walk it together.”
Alcester Grammar Principal Rachel Thorpe added that AGS was heartbroken at the news.
She continued: “Tilly was a hugely valued and popular member of the school. Our thoughts and condolences are very much with Tilly’s family and friends, the wider Chipping Campden School community and also with all others impacted or involved in this tragic accident.”
Inspector Michael Huntley from Warwickshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit confirmed specialist officers were carrying out a detailed investigation to piece together the circumstances of the collision.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Warwickshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 248 of 21 April 2023.
