Family pay tribute to 'shining star' killed in crash

Rosa Taylor, 19, died while on her way to perform in Corsham in Wiltshire

The family of a 19-year-old killed in a crash while on her way to perform in a show at a library have described her as "the most beautiful person inside and out".

Rosa Taylor, from Upholland in Lancashire, was travelling as a passenger in a car headed to Corsham in Wiltshire when it was involved in a crash with a tipper truck on the A4 on 24 July.

She was declared dead at the scene, while the female driver of the Hyundai she was travelling in and a fellow male passenger were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

In the wake of her death, her family have issued a tribute celebrating her "lifelong dedication" to performing.

"Anyone who knew Rosa would agree that she was the most beautiful person inside and out," said her father Gareth Taylor.

"She was the very definition of a spirit that shines brightly and dies young, loved by anyone who met her," he added.

"She was at once the most talented, most beautiful, and most loving soul I've ever known."

The fatal collision happened where the A4 meets the B3109

Described by her family as a natural-born performer "from birth", Ms Taylor grew up playing leading roles at the Artz Centre in Skelmersdale, West Lancashire, and had gone on to study musical theatre at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

She had performed with Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre in productions such as Legally Blonde: The Musical and had recently also performed at the Liverpool Playhouse.

In addition to her work on the stage, she also performed at children's parties, becoming beloved characters like Ariana Grande, Aladdin's Jasmine, and Beauty and The Beast's Belle.

'Naturally gifted'

She had recently secured a place at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London and was due to start her course in September.

Wiltshire Police confirmed she had been travelling to a show at Corsham Library when she was involved in the incident, where she had been due to play the lead role in a touring production.

Her family went on to describe her as "a shining star" and the "greatest friend anyone could have asked for", adding that she was the "most naturally gifted performer you had ever seen".

The driver of the truck was uninjured in the incident, which happened at about 13:30 BST, and Wiltshire Police has appealed for witnesses to get in touch.