Tributes paid to Shropshire teenager killed in A5 crash alongside her mother
Tributes have been paid to the Shropshire teenager who died alongside her mother in a five-car crash on the Shropshire border.
Fourteen-year-old Kira McGrail and her mother Diane McGrail, 53, from Market Drayton, died when the Seat Ibiza they were travelling in was involved in the crash on the A5 in Weston-under-Lizard on Monday afternoon.
The 17-year-old male driver of the car, who is believed to be Kira's brother Jack, remains in a critical but stable condition at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
A book of condolence has now been opened at Kira's school to allow classmates to leave their tributes.
Nick Rugg, headteacher of Newcastle-under-Lyme School, where Kira was a pupil, has described her as a 'lovely and thoughtful girl'.
He said: "Our hearts go out to Mr McGrail, the whole family, and all their friends, after this dreadful tragedy.
"We hope that Jack makes a full and speedy recovery and want him and the family to know that the whole school is thinking of them.
"The family returned to the area after a few years in California, seven years ago: Kira to join Year 3, and Jack to Year 6, of our junior school, before joining the senior school.
"Kira was an absolutely lovely, conscientious and thoughtful girl who will be hugely missed, particularly by her strong group of friends.
"At times quite quiet, she was nevertheless vocal when she perceived injustice.
"She had a strong moral and empathetic side, which made her an obvious choice for the Year 9 council.
"She was a dedicated, perceptive pupil with a can-do attitude, whose recent reports were a pleasure to read.
"At the moment we are struggling to come to terms with her death and we are trying to help her friends.
"A book of condolence has been opened at the school, which will be available for pupils and staff to sign.
A 46-year-old man from the Telford area was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after initially being taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford for treatment after the accident, which happened at 2.20pm.
The man has been bailed, pending further police inquiries, to a later date. The road was closed in both directions until 1am the following morning as specialist officers carried out a detailed examination of the crash scene.
Monday's collision involved a black Seat Ibiza, a black Audi R8, an orange Renault Megane, a black BMW 5 series and a Citroen C4 Picasso.
A police investigation is under way and witnesses are asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident 396 of July 6.
