THE girl killed when a car ran off the road in Witney and struck her and three others has been named locally as Liberty Baker.

Witnesses rushed to help the stricken victims after a blue Citroen C2 is believed to have mounted the kerb in Curbridge Road in Witney shortly after 8am this morning, striking three 14-year-old girls and a man.

Miss Baker, who attended The Henry Box School, died after she was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. The three other victims were also taken to the hospital.

Oxford Mail: Serious collision between car and three pedestrians closes road in Witney

  • The scene this morning

Inspector Paul Winks said: "It appears the Citroen has mounted the pavement, hit the male first and he is seriously injured. It has then struck either two or three of the girls.

"This is a truly horrific incident and the driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and will be interviewed by police.

"Special family liaison officers will be talking to the family of the schoolgirl who was killed as a result of this incident.

"I would appeal to anybody who has any information or witnessed this collision to call the police on 101."

Prime Minister David Cameron joined in the appeal for information.

The Witney MP tweeted: Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron has appealed for witnesses to come forward after the crash.

He tweeted: “My thoughts are with friends and family of the 14-year-old girl killed by a car in Witney this morning.

“Witnesses should call police on 101.”

The Henry Box School’s Year 11 prom tonight has been cancelled as a result of the death.

Wendy Hemmingsley, headteacher of The Henry Box School, issued a statement which said: "With deep regret I have to report that a Year 9 student was involved in a fatal traffic incident this morning in Witney.

"The school community is deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time. Support is being offered to students and staff."

Pc Phil Hanham, of Bicester roads policing, said: "We would like to thank them for all their help at what must have been a very distressing time.

"It would have been very distressing for the members of the public who saw or came to help.

"It's a very sad day when there are three young girls and a man in a collision with a vehicle."

One of the surviving girls is believed to have serious head injuries, while the man is thought to have suffered a broken hip.

The man arrested is believed to be 18.

The force's LPA Commander Kath Lowe added: "This is a tragic incident and as part of the West Oxfordshire community ourselves I and all my officers share the grief of all those touched by this event."

Curbridge Road is closed in both directions after the collision, which took place between Church View Road and the A415 Tower Hill roundabout at Ducklington Lane.

Police expect they may be able to open soon after they complete their investigations.

Curbridge Road resident Michael Harper, 84, said: "I did not hear a bang or anything like that, but I looked out my window and saw the blue lights flashing by.

"There were about half a dozen cars with their lights flashing.

"It's a shock, it's not something you expect to see first thing in the morning."

Valerie Shurey, 62, of Curbridge Road, said: "It's terrible. It's a very busy road, especially with the children going to school."

John Webb, 51, Curbridge Road, said: "It was chaos. There were cars, about four ambulances and the air ambulance.

"No one could get through, there were alot of peole everywhere."

Witney’s St Mary’s Church, on Church Green, will be open for prayer.

Curate Reverend Alastair Blaine said: “We will be responsive to what the community needs.

“We will be here for prayer and for people to leave their own thoughts and prayers on a notice board and to light a candle.

“There will be people here as long as the church is open.”

Initially it had been reported by police at the scene the girls were 12 but it has been confirmed by the force they are 14.

An air ambulance landed at the scene, police confirmed, but the schoolgirls and the man injured were taken to hospital by land ambulance.

Stagecoach Oxford said its S1 service was unable to service Burwell.

A shuttle bus will run every 10 mins from Burwell to Witney.

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