Ripon community rallies around Ukrainian refugee teen who lost family in A61 crash

A floral tribute left at the scene on the A61 Ripon Road

A community has rallied around a grieving teenager who lost her siblings and mother in a car crash on the A61.

Daria Bartienieva, 35, son Ihor Bartieniev, six, and stepdaughter Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, died in a collision in South Stainley, Harrogate, on Sunday.

All were Ukrainian refugees living in Ripon after arriving in the UK in 2022.

A fundraiser has raised more than £14,000 for Ms Bartienieva's daughter, who was not in the car at the time.

Sara Hirst, one of the residents behind the crowdfunding page, said locals wanted to help the teenager, who she said was "part of the Ripon family".

The headteacher at Ihor's school said the "devastating event" had "affected everyone within our community"

Sue Sanderson said staff and pupils at Holy Trinity Church of England Infant School in Ripon were "heartbroken" to learn of the family's deaths as they returned for the new term this week.

Ihor joined the school's Year 1 class after arriving in the UK from his war-torn home country.

Tracey Calland-Booke, his teacher, said he was "a funny, chatty little boy who was loved by us all", adding: "We were all in awe of his little spark of joy who really brought something special to our class."

Ms Sanderson said staff and pupils were "all now attempting to come to terms with our loss together" and had visited Holy Trinity Church to light candles for the family.

The collision happened on the A61 Ripon Road on 3 September

Ms Hirst, landlady of the Black Swan pub in Ripon, thanked "generous" locals for their donations to the fundraiser for Ms Bartienieva's surviving daughter

She told BBC Radio York: "People are so generous when it comes to helping local people.

"Even though she is from Ukraine, it makes no difference, she is in Ripon now and part of the Ripon family."

Ms Hirst said a number of charity events were planned to raise further funds for the teenager.

North Yorkshire Police is continuing to appeal for information following the collision on the A61 Ripon Road which involved a silver Vauxhall Meriva car, a blue Toyota Aygo car and a double-decker bus.

Ms Bartienieva and her children were occupants of the Vauxhall Meriva which had been travelling south towards Ripley shortly before the crash at 14:20 BST.

The occupants of the Toyota Aygo were not injured, police said.

A spokesperson for The Harrogate Bus Company confirmed one of its number 36 double-decker buses was involved.

They said the bus driver, who suffered leg injuries and four passengers who had minor injuries, received hospital treatment and were now recovering at home.

The spokesperson added: "Our first thoughts are with those involved in this accident, particularly those who have sadly lost their lives."

Holy Trinity Church will be open from 14:30 to 16:00 every day this week until Friday to offer pastoral support and prayer.