UPDATED: A 14-year-old Sandown girl has died and two teenagers have been airlifted to hospital following this afternoon’s (Thursday) serious road traffic collision on The Downs. (Update below regarding second death)
A 18-year-old male, who was driving a Red Renault Clio, has been airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in a critical tonight. The 14-year-old girl, who is understood to have been dating the teen, was a front seat passenger in the vehicle. She unfortunately died at the scene.
A 13-year-old girl, also from Sandown, who was travelling in the rear of the Clio at the time of the collision, has also been airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, understood to be two broken thigh bones.
Remembrance messages have been left across social networking websites for the young, innocent victim of today’s fatal collision, as well as messages of hope on the Facebook walls of the two teenagers who remain in hospital, who Island Echo are not naming.
The 67-year-old male driver of the second vehicle involved, a Silver Renault Megane, was been taken to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport following the incident and is said to have suffered minor injuries, however his wife – who was a front seat passenger – has suffered serious injuries and also remains in the care of St Mary’s Hospital tonight.
Three appliances from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, two from Ryde and one from Newport – attended the scene alongside the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance between the junction of Knighton and the junction of Lime Kiln Shute on a fast downhill section of Downend Road.
Two ambulance crews also rushed to the incident as well as the rarely used Jumblance, which can transport several casualties and transported the two elderly patients to St Mary’s Hospital. Two doctors were deployed to the scene alongside two air ambulances.
Downend Road is expected to remain closed until midnight while Police investigators examine the scene.
UPDATE @ 23:30 – The road has now re-opened, according to Island Roads.
UPDATE FRIDAY @ 13:41 – It has been confirmed that a 67-year-old woman from Brading, who was a passenger in the second vehicle involved – a Renault Megane – has died as a result of her injuries.
Police have also officially named the first victim, a 14-year-old girl, as Kiri-Jade Hodgkinson of Queens Road, Sandown.
The 18-year-old driver of the Renault Clio, Jack Powell, remains in a coma today and is expected to remain so for the next few days. He is said to be in a critical but stable condition.
The 13-year-old female with two broken thigh bones underwent and operation last night and is understood to be in a stable condition this morning.
UPDATE FRIDAY @ 18:00 – The second fatal victim has been named as Barbara Ann Ford, 67, of Nicholas Close, Brading.
Sgt Rob Heard from the Roads Death Investigation Team in Eastleigh has said:
“This is a very serious incident that has sadly resulted in the deaths of two people and my thoughts are with both families.
“Our investigation is focusing on establishing exactly what happened and the circumstances that led to the collision.
“We know the Clio was travelling west but for reasons yet to be established it crossed into the path of the Megane which was travelling in the opposite direction. The Clio was struck by the Megane on its nearside causing fatal injuries to the front-seat passenger, Kiri-Jade Hodgkinson.
“I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision, who saw either of the vehicles driving prior to it or anyone else with information that could assist our enquiries.”
UPDATE 13TH JANUARY – The 18-year-old driver of the Renault Clio, Jack Powell, has woken from a coma in Southampton General Hospital, according to reports. He remains in a serious but stable condition.
The 13-year-old rear passenger, who Island Echo are not naming, has been discharged from hospital.
An inquest has been opened but adjourned into the double deaths until 15th July 2014.
Anyone with information can contact the Road Death Investigation team at Eastleigh on 101 quoting Operation Mohite.
