A York teenager spoke today of the tragic end to her 18th birthday celebrations when a close friend was killed in a hit-and-run smash - and just hours later she too was knocked down by a car in a separate incident.

Supermarket worker Sharlene Richardson, nursing a fractured arm, today paid tribute to Lee Bardy, 18, who died following the hit-and-run in the early hours on Saturday.

He had been returning home to Huntington with a group of friends after her birthday party in York when the accident happened.

In a bizarre coincidence, Sharlene, was knocked down later that night in a separate incident in Huntington Road with two girlfriends who had seen the hit-and-run smash.

Lee, known as 'Bardy' to his friends, died and his close friend Duncan Haines, 17, from Old Village, Old Earswick, broke his leg after they were hit by the Fiat saloon car in Clarence Street, York, in the earlier accident.

The female driver later came forward and has been released on police bail while inquiries continue.

Sharlene, of Sherwood Grove, Huntington, said everyone was stunned by the accidents and Lee's death.

She said: "Our reaction is just sheer disbelief.

"The party was really good. Everybody just got together and we hadn't seen a few people for some time. It was like a big reunion."

She said Lee's death had brought the close-knit group of friends - mostly former pupils of Huntington School - closer together.

"We will cherish our friends more," she said.

And she paid this tribute to former classmate Lee, who worked for Autocool Radiators in James Street, York, as a car radiator repairer."He never did anything to hurt anybody," she said. "He was really nice, and nobody ever saw him miserable. Everybody really liked him."

Lee's parents Linda, 45, and Ian, 49, described their son as "happy-go-lucky" with lots of friends, who "never fell out with anybody".

They said Lee never regained consciousness. They were at his bedside when he died in Leeds General Infirmary on Saturday.

His elder brother Dean, 23, was due to start a new job today.

Mr Bardy, a bricklayer with Graves Construction, Barbican Road, York, said Lee liked fishing, snooker, pool and listening to music.Mrs Bardy, who works at the youth club at Huntington School, said: "He was happy-go-lucky. He was never in. He'd come in, have a shower and go out. "He will be greatly missed by everybody."

Duncan's mother, Sylvia, said she was relieved her son had survived, but added: "We are all grieving for Lee. He was well-known and well-liked in the community. He and Duncan had been friends since they started primary school."

Inspector Paul Bilton, of York police, described as "total coincidence" the car accident later on Saturday night, in which the three girls were struck by a Vauxhall Cavalier near the Fossway pub. As well as Sharlene, friends Samantha Downes, 17, of Trent Avenue, Huntington, and Natalie Barton, of Hansom Place, were also hurt.

A 31-year-old man appeared before York magistrates today on charges of drink driving and driving withoiut insurance in Huntington Road on Saturday.

Magistrates adjourned the case against Michael Anthony Brolly of Etty Avenue, Tang Hall, until June 22 and released him on unconditional bail.

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