School's double tragedy

In the space of just 24 hours, a teenage student and a retired teacher at Henry Box School were killed in separate road accidents in the town.

Thirteen-year-old Andrew Edwards died after he was hit by a car in Ducklington Lane on Friday night His body is to be formally identified today.

On Thursday afternoon Christine Diacon, a former technology teacher at the school, was killed after being hit by a car on the A40 slip road near High Cogges.

Married Mrs Diacon had been a teacher at the school for 17 years before retiring in 2000.

Last night Andrew's distraught family, who live in Henry Box Close, were too upset to talk to the Oxford Mail.

But floral tributes were laid at the spot where the football-mad teenager died, as the close-knit community came to terms with the tragedy.

Mother-of-three Debbie Lockly, a family friend and neighbour, said: "I am gutted, especially for the family. Everyone around here knows each other.

"The kids all play together. Andrew loved football, especially Liverpool Football Club.

"It's just gutting. What can you say? We were there at midnight on the night of the accident giving them all hugs."

Another neighbour, also a mother-of-three, added: "I think it's so sad, he was just 13 years old. They are a lovely family.

"We're absolutely devastated. We all know them, we all know everyone around here because we all moved in at the same time.

"We are just coming to terms with it. You never expect it to happen on your doorstep.

"All the kids play out together, it will be hard for them."

The school said it would be offering students and staff counselling.

Last night Henry Box School headteacher Nicky Edmondson said: "It has been a double tragedy for the school community.

"It will be a difficult and emotional time for staff and students, but we have a policy for dealing with bereavement which we will be following to ensure everyone is looked after sensitively."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those we have lost."

Floral tributes, many from school friends, have been laid at the spot where Andrew was killed.

One read: "RIP, you will be missed, you were Gr8."

Another simply said: "Andrew, you will be in our hearts."

Tributes have also been posted on the Oxford Mail website.

One 13-year-old school friend wrote: "He will be missed. It's weird to think no-one will see him again except in heaven."

Darren Shearer, of Carterton, said: "I knew this lad quite well. My thoughts and feelings are with his family at this sad time."

A 17-year-old arrested on suspicion of careless driving in connection with Friday's incident has been released on police bail.

The Henry Box double tragedy follows the death of a man killed after his car left the road while being pursued by police on the A4095 at North Leigh last week Meanwhile, a 28-year-old woman involved in a head-on crash on the A40 in Burford on Friday was still in a critical but stable condition in Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

Leave your tributes to Andrew Edwards and Christine Diacon online at www.oxfordmail.net Families who have lost loved ones in collisions on Oxfordshire's roads came together for a memorial service yesterday.

The service was held at St Mary the Virgin in Thame and was an opportunity for the emergency services to come together with members of the public to share their grief.

Police officers, fire and rescue workers, paramedics, ambulance technicians and hospital staff led readings and prayers during the service.

The service involved faith leaders from different religions and was led by the Bishop of Buckingham.

Thames Valley Police chaplain David Wilbraham said: "Each year around 150 people die on roads in the Thames Valley. The service was one of many being held across the world to mark the UN World Remembrance Day for road traffic victims."