Barham Thornhill Road crash: Family of Pinewood 18-year-old Bethany McCauley who died in crash share emotional tribute

The family of an 18-year-old who died after a crash in Barham last month have called her the ‘bright light’ that lit up their lives in an emotional tribute.

Bethany McCauley, from Pinewood on the outskirts of Ipswich, died after a blue Vauxhall Corsa she was a passenger in crashed in Thornhill Road at around 12.35am on Saturday, April 29.

Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service and ambulance crews were called to the road, despite their best efforts, she died at the scene.

The driver - a teenage woman - was taken to Ipswich Hospital having sustained serious injuries, where she currently remains in a stable condition.

Bethany’s family said: “Bethany was the bright light that lit up our lives. A real force of nature. Loud and funny, yet at times quiet and happy in her own company.

“During both primary and high school, she loved a variety of sports and was on the high school netball team all throughout her time at Claydon High School. She enjoyed cooking and baking at home as well as cleaning and organising.

“Therefore it should have come as no surprise when she went to work at Park View residential care home as a domestic.

“This also allowed her to show her caring nature as she was able to spend time talking to the residents and on occasion would sit and hold their hand. She was very pleased to win the award for favourite domestic which was voted for by the residents.

“Thoughtful, generous, kind and determined are all words that come to mind when we think of her. Setting her mind to learning to drive and buying a car all of which she did by herself.

“Devoted to her not so small dog Stomper, she was in the process of changing her job so that he would have company throughout the day.

“We wish to thank the residents of Barham and the emergency services who tried to help her.

“She will be deeply missed by her parents, younger brother William, Grandmother, aunts and uncle as well as by her friends, Smudge the cat and of course Stomper,” they added.

Officers are still asking for witnesses to the crash and want to hear from anyone who was driving in the area before the incident who may have dashcam footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit on the police website, by calling 101 or by emailing SCIU@norfolk.police.uk, quoting reference: 37/24718/23.