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Watch: Balloons released in memory of Kingswinford crash victims

Hundreds of balloons were released in memory of the victims of a horror crash in Kingswinford.

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Balloons are released into the sky at Dell Stadium

Driver Joshua Parkes, aged 21, 16-year-old back-seat passenger Lucy Tibbetts, and another 16-year-old girl whose family have asked for privacy were all pronounced dead at the scene on Tuesday.

Nathan Cartwright, 18, who was critically injured in the crash died on Saturday, it was announced today. His mother has paid tribute to her "gorgeous boy".

Crowds of people applauded as the balloons rose high into the sky over Dell Stadium in Brierley Hill on Saturday in memory of the crash victims.

Five people were in a Skoda Fabia when it crashed into a tree in Bromley Lane, Kingswinford, shortly before 9pm on Tuesday.

Tributes at the scene where three people on Bromley Lane where three people died. Joshua Parks and Lucy Tibbetts, inset, were two of the victims.

One other passenger, a 16-year-old girl, was also critically injured and remains in hospital, police say, with the special ceremony held for all the crash victims on Saturday in Brierley Hill.

Streams of balloons could be seen flowing down the street as people turned out to pay their respects at the ceremony, which took place at 3pm on Saturday.

Family and friends later released another set of balloons and asked members of the crowd to raise their phones – with lights switched on – into the air.

Jordan Stewart, who paid tribute to 21-year-old Joshua, said: "Thank you to everyone for turning up – the support has been unreal. Josh lived his life to the full. It's been tough, the last few days especially.

School chaplain pastor Nigel Rowe spends time with Lucy's mom Zoe Bence, stepdad Simon Bence and family

"It's crazy how one accident can bring this many people together – it shows how much they loved him and everyone. Everyone knows everyone around here."

The ceremony was organised by 16-year-old Jack Stewart.

Zoe Bence, Lucy's mother, said: "I just wan to thank everyone for coming. She loved her friends and they loved her by the sounds of it today."

Balloons are released into the sky at Dell Stadium

A fundraising page set up by Lucy's sister Kaya has raised more than £5,500 for her funeral arrangements and a memorial bench.

A fundraiser has also been set up to raise funds for the funeral arrangements for Josh – with a £600 already raised and a target of £3,000.

Another fundraiser has been set up for the other 16-year-old victim, whose family have asked for her not to be named at this time.

Tributes

The page, which has already raised more than £1,200, states the money will be donated to a "road safety charity, as wished for by her family".

A fourth fundraising page, set up by Lisa Sutherland, will raise funds for the families of those affected and a permanent memorial.

Meanwhile, tributes continue to be left at the crash scene, near the junction with Standhills Road. Dozens of bunches of flowers have been left next to the tree along with balloons, photos and handwritten cards.

Balloons are released into the sky at Dell Stadium

West Midlands Police on Wednesday changed an earlier statement to say it was unable to clarify whether officers had been chasing the Fabia when the crash happened.

The force previously said officers had seen the vehicle but not spoken with the people inside or pursued it, before changing the statement to say "it is not known if there was any interaction with the Skoda" and that the role of the police car is being investigated.

Balloons are released into the sky at Dell Stadium

A spokesman from West Midlands Police said on Thursday: "Specialist officers continue to support the families of all five victims, including the two who remain in hospital where their condition is unchanged.

"The police investigation into the crash continues."

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with the police by calling 101, quoting log 4469 of October 13.

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