Student's death 'a tragic waste of life'

THE death of a talented A level student was described last night as a “tragic waste of life” after she was killed in a crash at a notorious accident blackspot.

Stevie Jay Sims , 17, of Haverhill, died at the scene of Saturday's early morning crash after the red Volkswagen Golf she was travelling in hit a road sign.

Police said yesterday the driver of the vehicle, an 18-year-old from the town, was in a serious but not life threatening condition in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

Glowing tributes were paid to Miss Sims while the accident on the A1307, between Haverhill and Linton, also prompted renewed calls for traffic improvements.

Howard Lay, headteacher of Samuel Ward Arts and Technology College, said: “Stevie Jay was a fantastic girl, very popular, polite and so full of life.

“She was well mannered and really worked hard. She was a very talented artist and she was doing very well in her A levels.

“It is such a tragic waste of life and potential - she had so much going for her and in terms of personality and liveliness, she was going to have a really good future.”

Miss Sims, of Ovington Place, died following the crash just before 6am on Saturday, close to the Bartlow Road junction.

Esther Cornell, spokesman for action group Access 1307, said: “We are very concerned about the high level of accidents on that stretch of road.

“It is a very fast section of road and we are aware there is quite a lot of overtaking.

“It is very difficult without knowing what happened and what caused the accident but we hope highway chiefs will look at every way of reducing speed.”

Investigating officer Pc Steve Edwards said: “We want to discover exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the incident.

“We are appealing to anyone in the area on Saturday morning or any witnesses to contact us as any information they have could be very important.”

Anyone with information should contact Pc Edwards at the road policing unit on 0845 4564564.