A young actress died after the car she was travelling in collided with a lorry as she was on the way to perform for some excited children.
Rosa Taylor, 19, was on her way to a theatre show in Corsham, Wiltshire, last Thursday when she was involved in the horror crash. Emergency services were called but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. The fatal crash involved a Hyundai i10 and a Scania Tipper HGV and happened at around 1.30pm on the A4, near Wiltshire's border with Somerset.
Her devastated family have today issued a moving tribute to her. Rosa's father Gareth Taylor said his daughter was a loving and talented young person with a fantastic life ahead of her. He said: "Anyone who knew Rosa would agree that she was the most beautiful person inside and out.
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"She was the very definition of a spirit that shines brightly and dies young, loved by anyone who met her. She was at once the most talented, most beautiful, and most loving soul I’ve ever known." Rosa loved performing, playing lead roles at the Artz Centre in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, before heading to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) Sixth Form College to study musical theatre.
She had recently been accepted to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, in London, where she was due to start in September, SomersetLive report. The teen, who was from from Upholland, Lancashire, also performed with Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre in productions such as Legally Blonde: The Musical, and in Wow Liverpool’s WOW That’s What I Call Musicals at the Liverpool Playhouse.
This month, was touring as the lead in the Beggars Belief Collective production of SCRUMPTIOUS! She was on her way to the next performance at Corsham Library on the day of the crash. Rosa also worked as an entertainer at children's birthday parties, performing as beloved characters and celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Aladdin’s Jasmine, and Beauty and The Beast’s Belle to put a smile on young kids' faces.
She also worked at Briar’s Hall Hotel in Ormskirk. Her loved ones remember her as “a shining star,” “the greatest friend anyone could have asked for,” and the “most naturally gifted performer you had ever seen.”
After the crash, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. Any witnesses or anyone with dash cam footage should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01225 694597 quoting log 54250100571. Alternatively you can contact the team directly by emailing SCIT@wiltshire.police.uk."