Police name young woman fatally injured in quad bike crash

The family of a young woman who died on Christmas Day following a quad bike crash has issued a heartbreaking tribute to her. Gloucestershire Police today (Wednesday, December 27) named 22-year-old Gracie Vater as the woman who lost her life following the collision. She was taken to Southmead[1] Hospital, in Bristol, following the crash which happened in Whitehouse Lane, Shipton Moyne, near Tetbury, in Gloucestershire, at around 2pm last Saturday (December 23)[2].

It is believed that she fell from the vehicle as it overturned. One man is thought to have fled the scene on a quad bike, but police report that he was later found and arrested along with a second man.

Miss Vater's family said: "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."

Two young men from the Cotswolds were arrested and have subsequently been bailed with conditions to return to police in February, pending further enquiries. Officers are still seeking information in connection with the collision. In a statement issued late on Boxing Day, Gloucestershire Police said: "A woman injured in a collision in Shipton Moyne, near Tetbury, on Saturday (23 December), has died in hospital.

The woman, aged in her 20s, is believed to have fallen off a quad bike that overturned on Whitehouse Lane shortly after 2pm. "She was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol but sadly died from her injuries on Christmas Day. A man is believed to have made off from the scene on a quad bike and was later found and arrested following a search involving the police helicopter.

A second man was also later arrested. "Two men, aged 29 and 30 and from the Cotswolds, have been bailed with conditions to return to police in February, pending further enquiries. Officers 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 online form[5] and quoting incident 251 of 23 December."

References

1. ^ Southmead (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ around 2pm last Saturday (December 23) (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
3. ^ Man charged after destruction that closed Bristol GP surgery (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
4. ^ Man jailed after police tip-off during Covid lockdown (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
5. ^ online form (www.gloucestershire.police.uk)