Tributes to talented teen runners Lucy Pygott and Stacey Burrows killed by suspected drink driver while training
FAMILY and friends tell of shock after Lucy Pygott, 17 and 16-year-old Stacey Burroughs were killed outside Aldershot army base
A SOLDIER has been arrested for suspected drink-driving after two girl athletes died on a pedestrian crossing.
Lucy Pygott, 17, and Stacey Burrows, 16, were killed on a run outside an athletics stadium.
The two talented cross- country runners were tipped as future stars.
They were on a regular Tuesday evening session in preparation for a competition in Spain at the weekend.
RELATED STORIES
Clubmates who heard a bang as they were hit by a Ford Focus ST hatchback said they thought it was the sound of a bomb.
Fellow athletes rushed from the stadium to help but the girls died on the pavement of the road that runs to the garrison HQ of the Army in Aldershot, Hants.
Allan Leiper, joint team manager at Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletic Club, said: “These girls were only following their dreams to be the best runners in the best running club in the world."
Ex-10,000 metre world champion and Olympian Liz McColgan, 52, tweeted: “So sad to hear about the 2 young girls.”
Lucy represented Britain in July at the European Athletics Youth Championships in Tblisi, Georgia, winning a bronze medal in the under-18s 3,000m.
She raced for England in a cross-country event in Elgoibar, Spain, this year and finished third.
Her mum and dad Ray and Lisa, of Hartley Wintney, Hants, said: “Lucy was an absolute joy to us and we feel lucky that she has been part of our family for 17 years.”
Stacey’s family did not wish to comment from their home in Farnborough.
The girls were sixth form college students in the town.
Police said the man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving and being unfit through drink or drugs.
The Army confirmed police were holding a soldier.
Last night he was released on unconditional bail until February 14.
Simon Jarvis, principal at the Sixth Form College Farnborough, Hants, said both girls were students at the college.
He said: “Our thoughts are with the families who have experienced loss at this time and with the friends of the girls.
“We are doing everything we can to support everyone in the college community through these tough times as everyone comes to terms with the tragic events of last night.”
