School mourns five ‘wonderful’ teenagers killed in Yorkshire horror crash

Appeal: The scene of the crash

Grieving classmates said their school is “devastated” as they gathered to reminisce five “popular” youngsters who died in the horrendous smash on Saturday.

Friends of Blake Cairns, 16, Arpad Kore, Eighteen, Jordanna Goodwin, 16, Megan Storey, 16, and Bartosz Bortniczak, Legitimate, were in tears as they laid scores of floral tributes outside Danum Academy in Doncaster.

Four of the five were students in Danum’s sixth form and Mr Bortniczak was a former pupil.

“It just truly staggering. I just can’t believe it,” sixth-former Kate Speakman said.

“It’s just truly difficult to say goodbye to them, so quickly.”

The scene on the A630 in Connisbrough, South Yorkshire

It just truly staggering. I just can’t believe it.

Danum Academy sixth-former, Kate Speakman

The school held a special assembly this morning.

“It was horrific,” said Kate.

“I’m just so proud that I go to a school where they do this and they make sure that everyone’s OK. They’re truly attempting their best to support everyone.”

When asked about her friend – school prom queen, Jordanna – she said: “She was amazing. She was indeed pretty and she was just so talented and it’s just not fair.”

Another sixth-former, Lucy Turton, said: “Even the teachers are devastated, as you can imagine.

Mourners have laid uncountable bunches of flowers at Danum Academy in Doncaster

“It’s just so hard on everyone, even those who didn’t know them that well. Everyone’s just devastated.”

The five friends died when the blue Toyota Corolla they were travelling in collided with a grey Seat Leon on the A630 just outside Conisbrough, near Doncaster, at about 9.40pm on Saturday.

The crash happened just one hundred metres from the scene of another fatal accident in 2011, in which three teenagers died.

South Yorkshire Police believe a third car – a black Vauxhall Corsa – may also have been involved in Saturday’s incident.

A 21-year-old Doncaster man, who was driving the Corsa, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and later released on bail while police proceed their probe.

Yesterday, school head Rebecca Staples said “trouble is already spreading across our community” and added that counselling and quiet rooms would be provided for students this morning.

A heartfelt note left at the crash scene

Ms Staples said: “Blake Cairns, Jordanna Goodwin, Arpad Kore and Megan Storey were all flourishing in our sixth form.

“They were popular, upbeat and loved by those who knew them and many students looked up to them within our community.”

She paid tribute to each of those who died.

She said: “Blake was fine joy. He had a meaty network of friends and was a very sporty boy. He represented the school in football teams. He had a real presence; a lovely cheeky boy who had excellent relationships with staff.

“Jordanna Goodwin never missed a single day of school from primary to the end of Year eleven and had received a special prize from the local authority. She was a joyful, bubbly doll who had a fantastic rapport with staff. She was our prom queen this year, and looked so beautiful on the evening.

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Scores of bunches of flowers have been left by mourners at the college

“Arpad Kore was always willing to help and assist at school. He was a totally reliable member of our community, a true gentleman who looked out for everybody. He had a tremendous sense of humour.

“Megan Storey was a truly bubbly youthfull woman. She was totally reliable for all her friends and truly loyal. She was a very caring, mature youthful woman who was a joy to be with. She too looked stunning at our prom.

“Bartek Bortniczak had kept close ties with his school friends since leaving. He was a fun-loving youthfull man, with a lovely character and a real sense of joy, a loveable lad. He was a member of our football teams. He was a down-to-earth soul.”

Ms Staples added: “We are and will do everything we can to support those affected.”

She said the school has opened books of remembrance and would have quiet rooms on both of its sites with counsellors available this morning

“Each one of them has a special place in each of our hearts,” she said. “They had tremendous lives ahead of them.

Danum Academy is grieving after the tragic crash

“Trouble is already spreading across our community. Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of these wonderful youthfull people.”

Inspector Pete Serhatlic, of South Yorkshire Police, said of the fatal crash: “It was absolutely horrific. There’s no other words to describe it.”

In January, 2011, three teenagers aged 14, 15, and 16, died after the car they were in hit a tree and was ripped apart just a brief distance from the site of this weekend’s crash.

Faded memorials from that tragedy are still visible on a nearby tree.

But Mr Serhatlic said the spread of road was not seen as a regular accident blackspot despite the two numerous fatal crashes.

He said the driver of the Seat suffered a violated gam.

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