A HEADTEACHER has paid tribute to schoolchildren who died in a crash on their way home.

Two teenagers, a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, have died following a crash on the B4035 Campden Road, near Shipston on Friday, (April 21).

Two others were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

It has now been confirmed that they were all pupils at Chipping Campden School.

In a letter that has been circulating on social media, principal John Sanderson shared his sympathies with the families.

He wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to you about the events of yesterday afternoon - events that have shaken our tight-knit community.

“I was given the devastating news that two of the critically ill students had tragically lost their lives, while one other remained in a critical and life-threatening condition and the other in a serious but stable condition.

“Naturally our thoughts and prayers are very much with the families and friends of all those involved.

“The school is one part of a very close, caring and supportive community and I am acutely aware of how profound and far-reaching the feelings of loss and grief will be.

“I also know how strong and compassionate our community is and take solace from the knowledge that none of us will be left to journey through the darkness of the coming days alone.”

The letter was shared on Facebook by Blackminster Middle School.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash, near Portobello Crossroads, at around 4.10pm.

Crews found two vehicle involved, a Ford Fiesta, which the Chipping Campden School pupils had been travelling in, and a Fiat 500.

Three occupants from the Fiat – a woman and two children - all sustained serious injuries and are in a stable condition in hospital.

Inspector Michael Huntley from Warwickshire Police’s said: “This is a tragic incident involving several young people, and our thoughts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, to those who have been injured, and to the local community who may have been affected by this incident.

“Specially-trained family liaison officers are currently supporting the families involved, and we would ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time."

Police are urging anyone with information about what happened to call 101, quoting incident number 248 of April 21.