SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2007

Tributes Paid to Girl Who Died in Tragic Bus Accident
April 2, 2007

MUCH LOVED: Nadine Corbett
A HORRIFIED mother has described how she saw a young girl lying dead under the wheels of a bus.

Nadine Corbett, 16, from the King Oswy area of Hartlepool, had just got off the single-decker Stagecoach bus in the town's Dyke House area when she appeared to fall under its wheels.

The accident happened at 6.35pm on Friday, shortly after the bus had turned into Milbank Road from Powlett Road.

Police sealed off the road while they investigated the incident. It was re-opened at 8.45am on Saturday.

Nadine, who had been travelling on the bus with a friend, suffered serious head and chest injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Milbank Road resident, who gave her name only as Valerie, described the harrowing events.

She said: "I went out when I heard all the commotion. There was a young girl stood crying and the other young girl was lying under the bus.

"It was awful. We've got two teenagers of our own."

Another eyewitness, who lives in Milbank Road but did not wish to be named, said: "The first I knew about it was the poor girl was under the bus.

"I saw the flashing lights of the emergency services and I went out because my nephew was playing out at the time and I wanted to know what happened.

"It really is a dreadful thing to happen."

Nadine's heartbroken parents, Anthony and Lorraine, described her as a beautiful, happy-go-lucky girl who lived life to the full.

They said: "She had a large circle of friends, all of whom will be as devastated as we are by her loss."

Many of Nadine's friends left floral tributes and teddy bears close to the scene of the accident over the weekend.

One message read: "You were such a character - you were a friend. You will never be forgotten."

Another read: "I am so proud to have known you. You were so special, an individual."

Another friend had written: "For my little friend Nadine. I will miss you. We had some laughs, didn't we?"

Nadine was due to leave school this summer, and had shown an interest in joining the Army.

Her parents said: "She really loved football and was always listening to music - just a typical teenager, really.

"Nadine was very much loved. She lived for those who loved her, and those who loved her knew that."

They said she would be greatly missed by all her family, which includes three sisters and a brother.

The cause of the accident is still unknown, and Cleveland Police and Stagecoach have opened a joint investigation.

A police spokesman said: "We would urge anyone who was a passenger on the bus who hasn't spoken to us, or anyone who was in the area at the time, to contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Andrew Pitts, of the Cleveland Police road accident unit, on 01642-301552.

Nobody from Stagecoach was available for comment.

By Mike Chipchase

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