Family pays tribute to 'kind caring' teenage beauty queen killed in Cumbria car crash

'Skye made the world a better place and Skye's world was a wonderful world to be in,' say relatives

Skye Olivia Mitchell's family said she did well at school and loved animals (PA)

The family of an 18-year-old beauty queen killed in a car crash in Cumbria have paid tribute to a "kind, caring girl" who "made the world a better place".

Skye Olivia Mitchell died when the Toyota Yaris she was driving was in a collision with a Ford Transit van on the A595 near the village of Bootle.

Her friend, Caitlin Lydia Huddleston, who was in the front seat of the car, also died at the scene. A third 18-year-old woman was flown by air ambulance to Royal Preston hospital and is in a critical condition.

In a tribute, Ms Mitchell's family said: “Skye was a popular, kind, caring girl who raised money for various charities. She made the most of her 18 years, embracing every opportunity that came her way.

"Skye made the world a better place and Skye's world was a wonderful world to be in.

"Skye will be very sadly missed by her mam Sharon Fry, dad Ian Mitchell, step-mam Margo, sisters Candice and Millie, her grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, boyfriend Aidan and her many, many friends who all loved her dearly.

"They will all miss the daily hugs she gave them."

Her family said she did well at school and loved animals.

Ms Mitchell had recently completed her A-levels and was looking forward to studying broadcast journalism at the University of Salford later this year.

She won the Junior Miss North West title in 2014 and a year later launched an anti-bullying campaign after she was bullied over her looks when she was younger. She released a photograph of herself with the numerous taunts she had received written on her face.

Her family said she was “passionate” about the campaign, which featured in national media.

The teenager retained close links with her former school, Millom School, and had compered its annual awards ceremony for the last three years.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision, which occurred at about 7.55pm between the green Toyota travelling from the Millom direction and the white van travelling in the opposite direction.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria Police said: “Specially trained officers are supporting the families at this time.

“Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information is asked to contact police on 101, or email 101cumbria.police.uk, quoting log number 230 of July 14.”

Press Association contributed to this report