THE family of a Newcastleton woman have described the “big gap in our lives” since she was killed in a car crash a year ago, writes Kenny Paterson.
The death of 23-year-old Rebecca Rennie has been recorded as accidental by an inquest in Carlisle last week.
She was travelling in a minibus which collided with a lorry and car on the A7 south of Longtown in Cumbria on December 15, 2011.
HGV driver Ian McQueen of Dumfries was also killed in the collision, with the inquest also recording the 43-year-old’s death as accidental.
Following the verdict, a statement from the Rennie family read: “As a family we have been totally devastated by Rebecca’s death as has her partner Nicky, his family, her friends, her boss and work colleagues.
“Rebecca was a bright, caring and bubbly person who enjoyed life to the full.
“She enjoyed socialising with her friends, as well as spending time with her family and with Nicky.
“She loved celebrating family events.
“We feel extremely sad to lose Rebecca: she has left a big gap in all our lives.
“However, we all have many happy memories of a beautiful and much-loved person.”
The inquest heard that Mr McQueen had crossed onto the other side of the road, but Coroner Robert Chapman ruled that he had not been using his mobile phone, nor had he fallen asleep or suffered a heart attack.