THE family of a Ryedale teenager who was killed in a road crash have paid tribute to a “bright and bubbly girl.”

York College student, Kirsty Findlay,17, died on April 19 when the Ford Fiesta, in which she was a passenger, was involved in a collision with a van on the A170 near Allerston.

Yesterday her parents Ashburn and Fiona Findlay, along with her brothers, Matthew and James, said: “We are absolutely devastated by the loss of Kirsty. She was a bright and bubbly girl with many prospects to look forward to in the future.

“She was delighted to be studying beauty at York college, where she excelling on the course. Before studying at the college she had been a pupil at lady Lumley’s school in Pickering where she was a popular student.

“We would like to thank her many friends who have paid such lovely tributes to her. Although nothing can ever ease our pain, their comments have brought us great comfort.”

Her mother, Fiona, 46, who was in the back seat of the car at the time of the smash, remains in a stable condition in James Cook University Hospital, with “severe leg injuries”.

The collision happened at 8.50am on the A170 near Allerston, between Pickering and Scarborough, and involved a blue Ford Fiesta and a white Ford Transit van.

A 19-year-old man who was driving the car was sent home after treatment at Scarborough Hospital, while the 52-year-old driver of the Ford Transit van has been bailed by police pending further inquiries Anyone who witnessed the collision should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Gareth Gilleard, or email to gareth.gilleardn.police.uk