Girl left with no family after crash on A61 near Ripon kills three

Police confirmed on Monday (September 4) that three people had died in a three-vehicle crash that involved a double-decker bus on the A61 Ripon Road near South Stainley at 2.20pm on Sunday (September 3).

Since then, tributes have been coming in from the Ripon community, with a floral tribute left at the scene of the collision on the A61, while Holy Trinity Church in the city has dedicated a space for people to light a candle and pay their respects to the three that died.

Read more: Mother and two children killed in crash on A61, Ripon

The church said the victims, who have not yet been formally identified by police, were members of a Ukrainian family living in Ripon.

It said the mother, aged 35, had lost her husband in February this year and was killed on Sunday alongside her 15-year-old daughter, who had only been in the country for five weeks, and her six-year-old son, who attended Holy Trinity School.

Holy Trinity Church has urged people to pray for the remaining daughter of the family, who didn't travel with her family on Sunday, and their family abroad.

Holy Trinity Church, Ripon (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

The quiet space will be open 2.30pm until 4pm and will welcome staff, parents and children from nearby Holy Trinity School and anyone else who knew those who died.

Reverend Michell Lepine, of the church, expressed her shock at the incident and offered her condolences to the family. 

She said: "We have seen an outpouring of emotions since the tragic incident, and wanted to offer a quiet space where people could reflect. 

"We know that the family involved were known to numerous people in the community, and we have a memory book open to the public.

Flowers laid at the side of the A61 near South Stainley (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

"I don't know how many people will come to the space - but everyone is welcome to pay their respects. 

"Our thoughts here at Holy Trinity are with the young girl who lost family members and all of those affected."

A fundraising page for the surviving daughter of the family has been set up and has already raised more than £6700 - surpassing the £3000 Go Fund Me target. 

You can donate here.

Investigations into the fatal collision remain ongoing, according to police, with officers from North Yorkshire Police asking for dashcam footage. 

The police force also confirmed that the driver of the bus was taken to hospital with leg injuries, some of the bus passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital, and the two people in the other vehicle were not injured.

The Harrogate Bus Company, whose vehicle was involved in the collision, has paid tribute to those who died in the crash and has said that the company will comply with police enquiries.

A spokesperson for the company said: "Our first thoughts are with those involved in this accident, particularly those who have sadly lost their lives.

"We can confirm that a bus on our route 36 was involved in a collision on the A61 Ripon to Harrogate road near the village of South Stainley on Sunday afternoon.

"Our bus driver and four customers travelling on the bus have received treatment in hospital for minor injuries and are now recovering at home.

"We are cooperating fully with North Yorkshire Police in their investigation into this tragic accident."

If you can help with the police investigation, email Julie.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident 12230166439.

The fatal collision was the second on the road between Ripon and Harrogate on consecutive Sundays after a 59-year-old motorcyclist was killed between Ripley and South Stainley on Sunday, August 26.

The A61 between South Stainley and Ripley (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Questions have been raised about the safety of the A61 - with some believing that safety measures and tighter speed limits are needed on the road. 

Currently, large sections of the road between South Stainley and Ripley are 60mph, which has seen parish councils and councillors campaign to reduce some parts of the A61 to 40mph. 

North Yorkshire County Councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who covers the Masham and Fountains division, which covers South Stainley, has warned drivers about the 'hidden' dangers of the A-road. 

Questions have been asked about the safety of the A61, including speed limits (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister said: "There is a need to reduce large sections of the road from national to 40mph. 

"Specifically that section of road. There is a concern about rural roads that run through villages and could be an incident hotspot, like this one. 

"Together with South Stainley Parish Council, we'll be pushing forward with plans to reduce speed.

"My message to drivers that use this road is to just be aware of the dangers, and drive as carefully as you can.

"There is no space to overtake and it's not safe to do so."