Trainee nurse killed in horrific motorway crash was ‘loved by everyone’

Bethany Jones, 18, who was killed in a horrific motorway crash on the M62

Trainee nurse Bethany died and seven others, including the bride-to-be, remain in hospital after the bus and a lorry collided on the M62 near Pontefract on Friday.

The group was travelling from South Elmsall to Liverpool for a hen night to celebrate the forthcoming wedding of Stefanie Firth, 24, who is in Leeds General Infirmary.

Last night, Bethany’s brother Ryan Jones said: “She was loved by everyone. Nobody could say a bad word about our Bethany.

“She was the most beautiful, caring girl I’ve ever met.”

Oil rig worker Ryan arrived home from Australia at the weekend. His mother, Diane, and other sister, Amy, were also injured.

Miss Firth is said to have serious spinal injuries and there are doubts her wedding to fiancée Gary Leafe, 28, will go ahead as planned. His mother Lesley is also reported to be among those being treated at the LGI.

South Elmsall Town Council will host an extraordinary meeting to discuss fundraising ideas to help victims this Friday at 7pm at the South Elmsall Town Council chamber in Westfield Lane. Coun Brian Capstick, deputy leader, said: “A lot of these girls have got horrendous injuries. We want to look at what we can do.”

The lorry driver, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, has been bailed.