Tributes have been paid to a mum-of-two killed in a head-on crash between a bus and a car.
Carla Mansfield, 25, died after the accident on London Road North, Poynton, on Friday night. Dozens of floral tributes have been placed at the crash site opposite the Bull’s Head pub where her black Kia Picanto hit a number 391 Baker bus.
Born in Macclesfield, Carla had recently moved to Edgeley in Stockport with her boyfriend Tom Watson and their children, Evie, two, and four-month-old Ethan.
Carla, her sister Leonie, 21, and their brother Dale, 19, were orphaned as young children.
Speaking on behalf of the family, their cousin Jamie Thomson, 25, said: "As a family we are devastated and still cannot believe what has happened. "While we grieve we must take comfort from all the wonderful memories we have of Carla and celebrate her life.
"We have more of Carla left than we realise, in the children, especially Evie, who is just like her. She was a chatterbox and loved being around people.
"I feel extremely proud and fortunate to have grown up so closely to Carla.
"She had a tough start in life but she worked incredibly hard to become a qualified hairdresser and make a lovely home for Tom and the children. Carla meant the world to us, but now she is back in the arms of her mum and dad."
Carla had worked at Head Office hair salon in Bollington since 2008. Her friend and boss Kathy Turnock also paid tribute.
She said: "There was something magical about Carla. People were drawn to her. She connected with people and was a joy to be around."
Friend and colleague Carol Livesey said: "She was a beautiful Barbie doll with personality and a huge heart. She had the most infectious smile."
More than 300 people have joined a Facebook group dedicated to Carla. Among those paying tributes is Jo Lowe who wrote: ‘Carla was an inspiration to all. She’d experienced more heartache than one should in a lifetime and still able to smile. I will treasure the memories and relay tales to your beautiful children of an amazing woman I was privileged to know’.
Diago Trixie wrote: "Life’s never gonna be the same without your bubbly joyful, crazy self in it’.
A spokesperson for Baker’s Coaches said. "This is a tragic traffic accident and our thoughts are with the family of the driver of the other vehicle involved."
The accident happened at 10.45pm. Carla had to be cut from the vehicle by fire crews and was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital where she died from her injuries.
Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 1238 of August 10, 2012.
