Tributes to crash victims

Tributes today flooded in to the victims of a horror car crash as news of the three tragedies left people in a Shropshire town in shock.

People in Ellesmere were left devastated as it was realised the two women killed, Corrine Thomas, who would have turned 25 yesterday, and her friend, Kiera Smyth, 18, were from the town.

Shropshire Star video - Call for action on crash road

The third crash victim, Robert McLoughlin, went to Lakelands School with Miss Smyth.

She was known as Kiera McKay during her school years and Mr McLoughlin was living in Liverpool.

The three victims were travelling in a Corsa with two others on a night out in Oswestry when the car was in collision with another and burst into flames.

Pictured is Daniel Batha and his son Keenan, the partner and young son of Corrine Thomas.

Flowers were left at the crash scene on the A495 near the Narrow Boat pub, between Whittington and Welsh Frankton, today.

Lakelands headteacher Ian Sanders said: "The whole school community is devastated by the news and our thoughts are with the family, relatives and friends of the people who were killed and seriously injured in the accident."

He said they were "popular students who had their whole lives ahead of them".

He added Miss Smyth's brother was a pupil and due to leave this year.

Miss Thomas had been with her partner, Daniel Batha, since she was 14. Left to console their five-year-old son Keenan, Mr Batha said she was devoted to him.

Her mum Olwen Sides said: "She adored children and loved dogs. She was a pretty determined person, she had an obsession with shopping."

Miss Thomas was the granddaughter of Oswestry Town Council members Bill and Moira Benyon.

Town mayor Gareth Jones said: "The thoughts of councillors and the people of Oswestry are with Bill and Moira and their family and with the families of those involved in the accident."

Narrow Boat pub owner Colin Hill said: "I still can't believe it, we're just all in complete shock.

"Three young lives have been taken away from us and it's just dreadful. I just hope the other two young women pull through. My thoughts are with the families of these young people."

One resident from Welsh Frankton, who did not wish to be named, said: "My sympathies go out to their families and friends."

A resident of Ellesmere said the town was in shock.

Shropshire County Council leader Councillor Malcolm Pate today expressed the authority's condolences to the families.

He made the comments before a cabinet meeting at Shirehall in Shrewsbury today.

Leave your tributes to Corrine Thomas, Kiera Smyth and Robert McLoughlin in the comments box below.

By Deborah Collins and Abigail Bates