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Police hunt biker after Irlam girl's road death

Chris Hudson
15/ 8/2007

POLICE are hunting for a mystery motorcyclist in a bid to piece together the circumstances of a tragic collision in which the 17-year-old daughter of a prominent haulage boss died.

Detectives are appealing to bikers living close to the collision site to come forward with information as the close-knit community of Chelford mourns the death of Abigail Irlam.

She was the youngest child of Stewart Irlam, the successful financial director of £60million-rated James Irlam Logistics.

The "funny and intelligent" A Level student and her lifelong friend, Bede Etherington, also 17, suffered fatal injuries after the Mini Cooper Abigail was driving was in collision with a Mazda RX8 and careered into a wall at Ashley Road, Mere, on Wednesday, August 1 at 5.35pm.

The 35-year-old Mazda driver, from Northwich, was pulled out from the wreckage by a passer-by and taken to Wythenshawe Hospital with serious injuries and is now in a stable condition.

A police spokesman said: "It is believed there was a motorcyclist in the area who witnessed the collision.

"We are asking for any motorcyclists in the Ashley Road or Mere area at 5.35pm to come forward and contact police to assist us with our enquiries."

Since the accident, shocked Chelford residents have spoken out about the devastation felt in the community as it comes to terms with this double tragedy.

Chelford's GP for 40 years, Dr Roger Roycroft, now retired, said: "There is a general sadness in the village - this is a total tragedy for the family and friends of Abigail Irlam."

The chairman of Chelford Parish Council, Andrew Norbury, echoed those sentiments. He said: "The whole of Chelford and the surrounding areas were shocked when the news broke - it is a very sad time."

Abigail, an accomplished flute player and talented singer, who had just completed her AS Levels at the Grange School in Hartford, near Nantwich, was described as a very popular girl with a wide circle of friends. She often gave up her time to an over-60s club helping to serve food.

Her heartbroken family, who live at nearby Over Peover, said: "Abigail is greatly missed by her parents and two elder brothers whom she was very close to and by all her many friends."

Formed in 1949, James Irlam Logistics, whose head office is on Knutsford Road in Chelford, has 350 trucks.

Anyone with any information about the collision is urged to contact Sgt Carl Bailey at Wilmslow Specialist Investigation Unit on 01244 613641 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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