Family’s moving tribute after ‘beautiful soul’ dies in quad bike tragedy on Christmas Day

The family of a 'beautiful soul' who died on Christmas Day[1] have issued a plea. Gracie Vatar was rushed to Southmead Hospital[2] after a quad bike collision near Tetbury on December 23. The 22-year-old sadly passed away two days later on Christmas Day.

It is believed she fell from a quad bike which overturned in Whitehouse Lane, Shipton Moyne at around 2pm. Two men were arrested in connection with her death. Gloucestershire Police have said two men, aged 29 and 30 and from the Cotswolds, have been bailed with conditions to return to police in February, pending further enquiries.

Try BristolLive Premium for FREE with no ads and new features[4] A fundraiser has since been launched for Miss Vatar's family, to raise money for her funeral. Posted to Go Fund Me[5], more than GBP10,000 has already been raised for a send-off for the 22-year-old, surpassing the GBP7,000 goal.

Money leftover after the funeral will be given to Wiltshire Air Ambulance, the fundraiser states. A message attached to the fundraiser reads: "Gracie was involved in an terrible road traffic accident on the 23rd of December which has resulted in Grace loosing her life in hospital at the age of just 22 on Christmas day. We as a family are devastated and would love to give Grace the send of she deserves.

"Her mum Angela is a single parent, and although doesn't want to have to ask for donations she is not in a position to afford the big send of that Gracie so rightly deserves. We ask that instead of flowers and sympathy cards that you can spare even the smallest of donations that can help ease the pressure on Grace's mum during this horrific time. "Please accept our gratitude and if you can't donate then please help spread the word by sharing this fund me.

Any remaining donation will be donated to Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Thank you." Miss Vatar's family issued a tribute to their daughter earlier this week, describing her as "the most kind, caring and beautiful soul".

The tribute read: "We as a family are totally devastated to have lost our beautiful darling Gracie. A treasured and much loved daughter, sister, granddaughter and aunty. "She was the most kind, caring and beautiful soul inside and out, and would help anybody that needed her help.

She was loved by everyone who met her. A country girl with the biggest heart and a huge love for animals, especially dogs, pigs and cows. "Our lives will never be the same without her, but we take comfort in knowing that Gracie is with her beloved dad.

We ask that all of Gracie's family are given privacy during this horrific time." Gloucestershire Police are still seeking information in connection with the collision. Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the quad bike being driven prior to the incident can provide information to police online by completing the following form[6] and quoting incident 251 of 23 December.

You can donate to Gracie's fundraiser here[7].

References

1. ^ Christmas Day (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ Southmead Hospital (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
3. ^ Bristol Boxing Day stabbing victim 'targeted' in knife ambush (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
4. ^ Try BristolLive Premium for FREE with no ads and new features (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
5. ^ Go Fund Me (www.gofundme.com)
6. ^ completing the following form (www.gloucestershire.police.uk)
7. ^ donate to Gracie's fundraiser here (www.gofundme.com)