A “BEAUTIFUL” British Airways air hostess who was killed alongside two cabin crew pals in a horrific New Year’s Eve crash was excited to “start a new chapter”.
Rachel Clark, 20, died at the scene with friend Dominic Fell, 23, and Joe Finnis, 25, when their car collided with a lorry near Heathrow at 80mph just before midnight.
Tributes were today paid to Rachel, who had only just started work with BA in November.
Tragically, just a month before her death, the young woman had shared photos of herself in her new uniform writing: “What a crazy 6 weeks it has been! Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way and to this fabulous group of people for making these weeks bearable!
“The start of a new chapter.”
She had also excitedly shared photos of her new jetsetting lifestyle that saw her visit Gothenburg, Sweden, and Lisbon, Portugal before heading on a long-haul flight to Seattle in the US.
Friends and family have been left reeling by the sudden tragedy that claimed three lives near Heathrow Airport, while another 25-year-old victim in the car was rushed to hospital where she remains in a critical condition.
One friend said: “Such a beautiful girl inside and out heartbroken to hear this sad news xxx”
Marnee Burgess added: “I can’t believe you’re gone. I will never forget that beautiful smile that lights up every room you enter.
“Three years feels like a lifetime I have known you.
“Thank you for welcoming me into your family and treating me like I’ve always been part of it.”
Surrey Police have now launched an investigation into the devastating crash that saw the Mercedes lorry end up in the Longford River and debris scattered across the road in Stanwell, Surrey.
Witnesses said the scene was like a “war zone with bits left all over the road”.
An onlooker said: “We heard the two women screaming. They had no chance, the car was doing at least 80mph.”
Police struggled to identify the victims and contacted the airline after spotting their work IDs in the mangled wreckage of the 11.39pm crash near the airport.
Since the crash, thousands have been raised for the BA Angels Fund for the families of the victims.
Tributes for the friends were paid, with one writing: “Fly high sweet angels, gone far too soon.”
BA bosses were offering counselling to dumbstruck staff struggling to comprehend their devastating loss yesterday.
The crash unfolded just after 11.30pm on New Year’s Eve when the HGV – destined for Heathrow – left the road after the collision and ploughed into Longford River.
The lorry driver, working for air services provider Dnata, was taken to hospital as a precaution and no arrests have been made.
Among grieving BA colleagues was the engineering manager father of one of the dead.
These brilliant young BA crew were looking forward to seeing in the new decade
Airline worker
One of the deceased was a twin whose brother is overseas and still unaware of the tragedy.
An onlooker said: “We heard the two women in the rear of the car screaming.
“They had no chance, the car was doing at least 80 miles an hour as it pulled out of the junction into the path of the lorry.”
One senior airline worker told The Sun: “There are no words, we are numb.
“These brilliant young BA crew were looking forward to seeing in the new decade. It is so cruel.”
One of the dead crew was due to fly on a scheduled BA trip to Las Vegas today.
BA bosses said to The Sun: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of the death of our colleagues involved in a road traffic collision last night.
“Our thoughts are with their family and friends, who we are supporting at this distressing time.”.
The driver of the lorry was taken to hospital as a precaution.
No arrests have been made.
Sergeant Chris Schultze from the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved in this collision at what is an extremely difficult time.
“We are continuing to appeal for witnesses to what happened and would urge anyone who may have any video footage, CCTV or dashcam or any other kind, to get in touch with us.”
Please report any information via 101 and quote the reference number PR/P19303422.
