Family sorrow at loss of Jody

The heartbroken family of a former Stourbridge woman who died with her partner while on a charity motorbike ride in New Zealand today said she was the "life and soul" of the party.

Vivien Butler, better known as Jody, had emigrated to New Zealand in September along with fiancee Jonathan Hale. The two planned to marry in the summer next year.

But tragedy struck on Sunday when Miss Butler and Mr Hale, both aged 31, were killed when they were hit by a camper van while on a charity bike ride collecting toys for needy children.

Fellow bikers, a New Zealand man and his 11-year-old daughter, were also killed in the crash.

Before moving to New Zealand, Shrewsbury-born Miss Butler lived with Mr Hale, who was a teacher, in the Wordsley area.

Miss Butler's sister-in-law Sally Butler, of Cruckton, Shrewsbury, today spoke of the family's heartbreak.

She said: "She was the life and soul of the party. She was very rarely not smiling. Some people said she and John never really wanted to grow up and they were always having fun and enjoying life and now they never have to grow up."

Jody leaves behind brothers Rod and Stuart Butler and father Terry Butler and his partner Jean.

Miss Butler grew-up in Bicton and used to attend Shrewsbury Sixth Form College and worked in several bars around town, including the Hop and Friar.

A joint funeral will be held at Wordsley's Holy Trinity Church once the couple's bodies have been flown back to the UK. Mr Hale had worked at Haybridge High School, Hagley, as a design and technology teacher before emigrating.