28 January 2013

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Team (SCIT) are renewing their appeal for help in tracing the driver of a red car following a fatal collision on the A47 near Wisbech which claimed the lives of two young girls in late December.

Officers from SCIT are keen to speak with the driver of a red BMW seen travelling towards King’s Lynn around the time of the incident.

Anyone with information should contact PC Ian Thexton at SCIT on 101.

 

3 January 2013

Police investigating a fatal collision on the A47 near Wisbech which claimed the lives of two young girls are appealing for help to trace the driver of a red car.

The incident happened last Thursday at approximately 6.40pm at Walsoken when a black Ford Focus left the road and overturned, coming to rest on its side at the edge of a ditch.

It happened about 500 metres north of the Broad End Road junction as the vehicle travelled towards Wisbech.

Tragically, sisters Tamzin and Jessica Portor, aged 10 and seven and from Sutton Bridge in Spalding, died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.

Three other people travelling in the car, a 12-year-old boy, 38-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, all suffered minor injuries.

Officers from Norfolk Constabulary’s Serious Collision Investigation Team (SCIT) are keen to speak with the driver of a red car seen travelling towards King’s Lynn around the time of the incident.

Anyone with information should contact senior investigator Steve Matthews at SCIT on 101.

 

31 December 2012

The parents of two sisters tragically killed in a collision on the A47 near Wisbech have paid tribute to their “comical” and “much loved” daughters.

Ten-year-old Tamzin Portor and her seven-year-old sister Jessica, both of Sutton Bridge, Spalding, died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision which happened at Walsoken at approximately 6.40pm on Thursday 27 December.

Paying tribute to Tamzin they said: “Tamzin was a comical little girl. She was always happy and saw the funny side of things. She was a good student and helped out at school. She loved helping people. Tamzin loved to sing with her friends and would write her own lyrics. She loved to socialise and was a fun person to be around. Her latest craze was Moshi Monsters and Doctor Who.”

Paying tribute to Jessica, they said: “Jessica was a lively girl who loved to dance and eat chocolate. She loved to wear make-up and going out. Jessica was also very comical and had bags of energy. She would bring alive any room she was in. Both Jessica and Tamzin loved music, singing and their pet dogs.”

The parents added: “The loss of our little angels can never be replaced. The whole family and friends are devastated. The family would like to thank all the well-wishers who have passed on their condolences.”

 

28 December 2012 (19:45 update)

Police can tonight confirm the identities of the sisters tragically killed in a collision on the A47 near Wisbech yesterday evening.

The decision to name them has been made in agreement with the Norfolk Coroner William Armstrong and the family, with the aim of supporting bereaved relatives to gain some respite from the intense media interest.

Ten-year-old Tamzin Portor and her seven-year-old sister Jessica Portor, both of Sutton Bridge, Spalding, died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision which happened at Walsoken at approximately 6.40pm.

Three other people travelling in the black Ford Focus, a 12-year-old boy, 38-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, all suffered minor injuries.

Officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Sgt Peter Howlett at Swaffham Road Policing on 101.

 

28 December 2012 (14:30 update)

Police can confirm that the three surviving casualties involved in a fatal collision on the A47 near Wisbech last night have been released from hospital.

A 38-year-old man, 43-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy were taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital following the crash which happened at Walsoken at approximately 6.40pm.

Police can confirm the children are from Lincolnshire while the adults are from West Norfolk.

 

28 December 2012

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of a fatal collision on the A47 near Wisbech last night, which claimed the lives of two young girls.

The sisters, aged 7 and 10, had been travelling in a black Ford Focus when it left the road at approximately 6.40pm, rolling onto its side and coming to rest at the edge of a drainage ditch.

Five people were travelling in the car, two adults and three children, who were all taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.

"Fatal collisions are tragic in any circumstances but given the fact that two young lives have been lost at this time of year seems to make it that much worse."

Chief Insp Chris Spinks

The girls sadly died in hospital as a result of serious head injuries sustained in the collision.

Their 12-year-old brother suffered minor injuries as did their 38-year-old father who was the front seat passenger.

The 43-year-old female driver, who was not the mother, suffered minor injuries. The three are expected to be released from hospital later today.

The collision happened on the A47 bypass at Walsoken, about 500 metres north of the Broad End Road junction. The car had been travelling towards Wisbech when for reasons unknown it left the road and overturned, coming to rest on its side. The road was closed in both directions for several hours and was re-opened shortly before 10.30pm last night.

Chief Inspector Chris Spinks, Head of Road Policing in Norfolk and Suffolk, extended his sympathies to the girl’s family and friends and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said: “Fatal collisions are tragic in any circumstances but given the fact that two young lives have been lost at this time of year seems to make it that much worse.

“Specially trained family liaison officers are supporting the bereaved relatives and collision investigation officers are piecing together the events that led to the crash.

“The circumstances are still unclear at this stage and I would ask anyone who thinks they might have information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward.”

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information concerning the driving manner of the vehicle prior to the collision.

Witnesses should contact Sgt Peter Howlett at Swaffham Roads Policing on 101.

 

27 December 2012

Police have launched an investigation after two children died in a road traffic collision this evening in Wisbech.

The incident happened on the A47 at approximately 6.40pm when a black Ford Focus left the road, ending up on its side at the edge of a ditch.

Five people were travelling in the car, two adults and three children, who were all taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.

Sadly, two girls aged 7 and 10, died in hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.

The three other casualties remain in hospital, although their injuries are not believed to be serious.

The road was closed in both directions for several hours and was re-opened shortly before 10.30pm.

Officers continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident and how the vehicle came to leave the road.

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information concerning it.

Witnesses should contact Sgt Peter Howlett at Swaffham Roads Policing on 101.