Tributes to ‘shining star’ arts student, 19, killed in horror HGV crash
'She was the very definition of a spirit that shines brightly and dies young, loved by anyone who met her'
10:42, 29 Jul 2025
Rosa Taylor(Image: UGC)A student described as a 'shining star' by her family died after a car she was in was involved in a crash with a lorry on her way to a theatre performance.
Rosa Taylor, who was 19 and from Lancashire, was travelling to a performance in Corsham, Wiltshire, when the crash happened on the A4 Bath Road at around 1.30pm on Thursday, July 24. She was a sixth form student at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.
A woman who was driving the car, a Hyundai i10, and a male passenger were also seriously injured in the smash, police said.
Wiltshire Police said the car was in collision with a Scania Tipper HGV, Rosa, travelling as a passenger, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Gareth Taylor has now paid tribute to his teenager daughter, who was from Upholland, near Wigan[1]. "Anyone who knew Rosa would agree that she was the most beautiful person inside and out," he said. "She was the very definition of a spirit that shines brightly and dies young, loved by anyone who met her. She was at once the most talented, most beautiful, and most loving soul I've ever known."
Her father has paid tribute to her(Image: UGC)Describing her as a 'shining star', he said Rosa was a 'natural born performer who lived for the stage' and performed with the Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre.
In July this year, she went on tour as the lead in the Beggars Belief Collective production of Scrumptious! - with her on her way to the next performance at Corsham Library when she was killed, reports The Echo.[2]
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She was due to start at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London in September after completing her course at LIPA.
Alongside her performing, Rosa worked as an entertainer with PICK'N'MIX Parties in Liverpool where she performed at children's parties as well as serving guests at Briar's Hall Hotel in Ormskirk.
A GoFundMe crowdfunding page has since been created by Kelly Bryant-Cunningham at PICK'N'MIX Parties to help ease the burden on Rosa's family. Kelly wrote: "Rosa tragically passed away on Thursday 24th July in a RTC out of our city - on her way to doing what she does best - performing.
"A gift she had that we were all so lucky to have witnessed. She performed for so many children of Liverpool during her time with PICK'N'MIX, giving them the birthday they deserved and now its our turn to do it for our Rosa.
"Rosa was a shining star, so full of life, love and talent.
A real life princess who had a passion for dancing, singing and acting. She will forever be part of our PICK'N'MIX family.
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"Rosa - your laughter, your kindness and your spirit will stay with us forever. Forever loved, forever cherished, forever 19."
Article continues belowA Wiltshere Police spokesperson said: "We are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Corsham yesterday (24/07) in which a 19-year-old woman sadly died.
At about 1.30pm a Hyundai i10 was in collision with a Scania Tipper HGV on the A4 Bath Road at the junction with the B3109.
"A female passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. The female driver and male passenger in the car sustained serious injuries and are currently being treated in hospital.
The driver of the HGV was uninjured."