Sisters pay tribute to car accident victim

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Thursday 3rd Mar 2005.

An Ilkley student who died when she was struck by a car had dreamed of winning a Nobel Prize, her devastated sisters revealed this week.

Just weeks before her death on Sunday, former Ilkley Grammar School pupil Bethany Gale had won a year-long placement with one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies as part of her university degree.

Yesterday Bethany's two sisters, Catherine and Joanne, said she was a popular, fun-loving person who `wanted to make a difference' through science.

Bethany was killed in York when she was hit by the vehicle as she and her boy friend - also from Ilkley - tried to cross a road following a meal at a nearby pub.

The 20-year-old University of York Biochemistry student died at the scene while her partner, Tom Asquith, also a former pupil of Ilkley Grammar School, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The couple were walking back to Bethany's student accommodation when the incident happened.

Joanne, 18, said Bethany, who was in the second year of a four-year degree course, was set to start a 12-month placement at leading pharmaceutical firm Astra-Zeneca in the summer.

"She was doing really well and was top of her year for her exams," said Joanne, an A-level student at Ilkley Grammar School. "She wanted to do research into drugs and talked about finding the cure for cancer and winning a Nobel Prize. She was hard working and would have got a job in the best company in her field.

"She loved science and she lived for science, it was a passion for her. Bethany was a genuinely lovely person."

Catherine, 22, a trainee solicitor, said: "She did seriously talk about winning a Nobel Prize but she was modest with it. She just wanted to do something to make a difference."

The sisters said Bethany and Tom met at Ilkley Grammar School and had been together for more than four years.

They said the pair had talked about spending the rest of their lives together.

Catherine said Tom, a nursing student at Bradford University, visited Bethany most weekends. He suffered serious leg injuries in the collision.

The sisters have visited him several times in hospital. "He's suffering really badly mentally with the loss," said Catherine.

"Bethany really helped him get to where he is and now she's gone he's thinking what's the point?".

Catherine said their mother, Linda, was `extremely proud' of Bethany's achievements. The three sisters, of Gordon Street, Ilkley, lost their father more than ten years ago.

Catherine added Bethany was a keen climber and caving enthusiast and was social secretary of the university's climbing and caving group.

She had organised a trip for the group at Easter. She took part in a conservation trip abroad last year to help underprivileged communities.

Bethany had achieved four A grades in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics at Ilkley Grammar School.

Judith Haigh, head of sixth form at the school, said: "The school is deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of such a conscientious, vibrant and lovely young woman.

"Beth was a friendly, hard-working student and a popular member of the school community. Our deepest sympathy is ex-tended to Beth's family."

A spokesman at the University of York said: "The University of York was saddened by the news of the tragic death of Bethany Gale and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.

"Bethany was immensely popular both with fellow students and staff. She will be deeply missed."

Her supervisor at the university, Dr Vera Knauper, said: "This has come as a terrible shock to everyone here. She was a charming and gifted student, well-liked by everybody."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the driver of a red Citroen Saxo was being treated at Leeds General Infirmary with serious but not life threatening injuries.

Police have so far been unable to question him in connection with the incident because of his condition.

The incident happened at a pelican crossing in Hull Road, York, at 8.20pm.

The vehicle also smashed into a traffic light on the road's central reservation.

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