Schoolgirl dies in cycling crash

Ty-Ree regularly cycled to school

An 11-year-old girl has been killed in a collision with a van as she cycled home from a science club at her school in Oxfordshire.

Ty-Ree Partridge was on her way home from Larkmead School in Abingdon on Wednesday when it happened.

The youngster is the second Larkmead pupil to die in a cycling accident in nine months, following the death of Sarah Waterhouse, 17, in October.

In a family tribute, a statement said Ty-Ree was "a real family girl".

It said: "Ty-Ree was much liked everywhere she went and made friends easily.

"She made her own path in life and knew her own mind.

"She was always clowning around and was a real family girl, being especially excited about the imminent birth of her new baby sister."

'Tragic coincidence'

Ty-Ree joined Larksmead School as a Year 7 pupil in January.

Head teacher Chris Harris said the 11-year-old often cycled to school and was an enthusiastic pupil.

"We cannot rule out all the risks in life and in the midst of life is death, although we try to minimise those risks," he said.

"That two cyclists have died in one year is a coincidence, it is tragic, but there is no significance in it.

"This could happen in any school, or not at all."

A memorial assembly is due to be held at the school next week and a condolence book has been opened for pupils to pay tribute to her.

Oxfordshire County Council said road safety officers were exploring measures to improve road safety in the area surrounding Larkmead School.

It said £35,000 had also been set aside for improvements to cycle routes in Abingdon.

Sarah Waterhouse was crossing Colwell Drive, in Abingdon, on her bicycle when she was hit by a school bus last October.