A young woman from Keighley died this week in a car crash.

Kathryn Tugwell, 24, from Weston Street, Exley Head, died on Monday morning when the car she was travelling in was involved in an accident on a stretch of the A65 Settle bypass.

An employee at First Direct bank in Leeds, she was accompanying colleague David Mills, who was driving the car, on a business trip to the bank's Scottish headquarters in Hamilton. They were travelling north in a blue Honda Accord when their car was in collision with a red VW Polo travelling south.

Mr Mills, 23, of Ball Green Road, Huddersfield, was thought to have escaped with only minor injuries.

He was taken to Airedale hospital where it was discovered he had received serious internal injuries. His condition is described as stable.

The driver of the VW Polo, Tanya Kenrick of Windermere, was also taken to Airedale where she was treated for a fractured leg and head injuries. Her condition is satisfactory.

Neighbours in Weston Street say Miss Tugwell's partner Simon Goodison is being comforted by family members.

One of them says: "They were just a lovely couple and she was a lovely girl, it's just unbelievable."

David Meed, chief operating officer for First Direct says: "Kathryn was well-liked and well-respected by her colleagues at First Direct in both Leeds and Hamilton.

"Her tragic and untimely death has sent shock waves throughout the company. She will be greatly missed by us all."

The accident happened at 9.50am on Monday on a bend of the A65 near Paley Green. Road traffic police at Skipton are as yet unclear about how the accident happened, but they say poor driving conditions including heavy rain and sleet may have been a contributing factor.

Skipton road traffic police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the accident, particularly the driver of a green articulated lorry believed to be travelling south behind the Polo.

Anyone with information should contact PC Carl Chafer at Skipton police on 01756 793377.

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