Beyond Dawlish
A WOMAN who died after a crash at Dawlish was a teacher who was just weeks away from retiring, it has emerged.
The 62-year-old teacher at South Dartmoor Community College in Ashburton died following the car accident in Dawlish.
Julia Barker died at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital of injuries suffered in the accident.
She was the driver of a Daewoo Matiz car which was involved in a three-vehicle collision on the A379 Teignmouth Road outside the Smugglers Inn pub on the evening of June 4.
The Daewoo was behind an unidentified vehicle which was waiting to turn right into the Smugglers Inn when it was struck from behind by a Renault flatbed truck which, according to a police spokesman, “caused the Matiz to travel a considerable distance uphill by its own momentum”.
The driver of the truck suffered received minor injuries.
Police are still appealing for witnesses to the collision.
South Dartmoor headteacher Hugh Bellamy said: "Mrs Barker never regained consciousness following the accident and despite two operations died from her injuries on Friday at 10.30pm.
"Julia has worked at the College for over 24 years, initially joining in 1990 as an English teacher.
"More recently students will have known her as Head of Careers, teacher of Religious Studies and Sixth Form Tutor.
"Julia was a much loved and valued member of our community who was retiring at the end of this term. Julia has made a massive contribution to the young people in our community and we are feeling devastated by her loss.
"Support for students who are finding it difficult to cope with Julia’s death will be available from this morning in the College Library.
"Any students who have recently completed exams should feel free to come into College to access this support should they so wish. We will have counsellors, educational psychologists and members of the clergy available to all members of our community over the coming days.
"We will, as a College, be considering how best to mark Julia’s passing. Her husband, Peter, has asked that, rather than send flowers for Julia’s funeral, a memorial fund be established to which people can contribute. It is then his intention to purchase something for the College in order to commemorate Julia’s life. We do not yet know the arrangements for Julia’s funeral."
Read more at http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/Teacher-killed-Dawlish-crash-just-weeks-retiring/story-21243062-detail/story.html#2y6xIBIV5at3HP1B.99
What a tragedy, I hope the poor woman knew very little about it. Her family and friends will be living with that agony.
This is so sad and I also wish to pass on my condolences.
May I also add that having been in the motor trade for longer than I care to remember the choice of car could have been an unfortunate contributing factor, these tiny little hatchback type vehicles offer little protective resistence in these tragic events.
What kind of heartless bitch are you to make a comment like that on this thread it really is time you were banned from this forum, nobody is defending or blaming anyone. You are totally out of order this time
Elvis, after your comment that the victim was 'probably putting her make up on' I'm not sure you're on the moral highground on this one. Can't everyone put their petty feuds aside, a woman has lost her life.
This thread has been closed.