The father of the university student killed in an accident at a North Yorkshire theme park today spoke out about his family's loss.

Gemma Savage, 20, died from injuries she suffered on the Treetop Twister ride at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon.

Her father Stuart said his family's world has been turned upside down, with "all our hopes and dreams shattered."

He held back from blaming anyone for the tragedy, saying he would await the results of an official investigation.

Mr Savage said: "To say that we are devastated is an understatement. Gemma was a bright, gregarious happy-go-lucky woman, loved by everyone she met.

"She touched all our lives with her intelligence, wit and caring nature."

Mr Savage said his daughter, a former pupil at Wath Comprehensive, had been doing well in her studies of bio-medical science at Durham University.

Had her life not been cut short, he said, her contribution to medical science would have been "incalculable."

Mr Savage added: "The tragedy has been made all the worse by the fact she had just finished her second year at Durham University and was celebrating by having a fun day with her friends before collecting her results.

"We have been deprived of our bright little star and our loss is irreplaceable."

Mr Savage thanked all the medical staff who were involved in Gemma's treatment, both at the scene and afterwards in Leeds General Infirmary.

Updated: 15:32 Friday, June 22, 2001