Teachers pay tribute to 'bright' beauty therapy student killed in horror crash alongside two friends

Tributes have been paid to one of the teenagers killed in a horror crash in Penkridge. Sophie Bates. 17, tragically died three days after the collision on Cannock Road.

Two of her friends, Dafydd Hûw Craven-Jones, 18, and Morgan Jones, 17, died at the scene on May 25. Sole survivor of the Ford Ka crash, Brooke Varley, attended Stafford College alongside Sophie where the pair studied Beauty Therapy.

Craig Hodgson, Principal and Chief Executive of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, paid tribute to her on social media this week. He said: "The entire college community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Sophie Bates, as a result of a road traffic accident that also devastatingly claimed the lives of two of her friends.

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"Sophie was studying Level 2 Beauty Therapy at NSCG Stafford College and was described by her lecturers as 'a bright, confident, motivated student with a positive attitude and a great sense of humour, which meant she was always laughing'.

"Sophie was doing exceptionally well at college and at her placement at The Infirmary Hair and Beauty in Stafford, where she had been offered a part time job around her studies. She was looking forward to completing additional nail courses at the salon and returning to NSCG to complete her Level 3 Beauty Therapy course in September."

Mr Hodgson continued: "She loved having music playing in the salon, was great with clients and was a fantastic friend and supportive peer to the others in the group. There was no doubt that Sophie would have had an incredibly bright future in the beauty industry.

"Sophie’s family, who visited college today [June 5], and friends remain in the thoughts and prayers of everyone connected with NSCG at this incredibly sad time. We also send our thoughts to Sophie’s close friend, Brooke Varley, who also studies on a Level 2 Beauty Therapy course at NSCG Stafford College.

"Brooke was badly injured in the accident, but is now thankfully recovering at home in the care of her loving family. We send our thoughts and healing wishes to Brooke, and will welcome her back to her studies, with the support that she needs, at an appropriate time.

"The death of a NSCG student is something that deeply affects our community, and our team of Safeguarding and Well-Being Officers and counsellors are currently supporting Sophie’s friends, peers and staff. A book of reflection will open later this week, which will allow fellow students and staff to leave their own personal tributes, memories and recollections of Sophie."

He added a link to a GoFundMe page which has been set up to support the families of the teens killed in the crash. Click here to view it.