A sixteen-year-old sixth-form student tragically lost her life at the scene of a collision between a school minibus and a car, a coroner's court has been told.
Details of the Fatal Collision
Eleanor Hague, who was known as Ellie and from Sherburn in Elmet, was a passenger in a Mercedes Sprinter minibus when it was involved in a serious crash. The incident occurred on Toulston Lane in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, at approximately 12:28pm on 1 December.
The minibus, carrying nine sixth-form students from Tadcaster Grammar School and Sherburn High School, was heading towards Sherburn when it collided with a Hyundai i10 car. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, Ellie was pronounced dead at the scene.
Senior North Yorkshire Coroner Jonathon Heath, opening the inquest, stated that her provisional cause of death was torso injuries. She was formally identified by her father.
Aftermath and Police Investigation
Another teenage girl sustained serious injuries in the school minibus accident and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. All other passengers and the minibus driver were treated in hospital for minor injuries.
The driver of the Hyundai, a 40-year-old woman from Leeds, was arrested on suspicion of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. She has been released on conditional bail pending further police inquiries.
The inquest hearing at Northallerton Coroners' Court lasted just two minutes and was adjourned. No family members were present for the brief procedural session.
Tributes to a 'Lovely, Bubbly Young Person'
Staff at Tadcaster Grammar School paid a heartfelt tribute to Ellie, describing her as a vibrant and much-loved member of the school community. In a letter sent to parents and students, they wrote that Ellie was a 'lovely, bubbly young person' who lit up every room.
The tribute continued: 'Ellie was well loved by those around her and we all loved Ellie's fantastic sense of humour. To see her with her group of friends, laughing and interacting with each other always brought a lightness to the lessons she was in.'
The school expressed its devastation, stating: 'Ellie will be sorely missed by fellow students, staff and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Our deepest thoughts remain with Ellie's family and friends. We are devastated to have lost Ellie from our school.'
