A YOUNG van driver killed in a smash on the Thelwall Viaduct was only seconds away from her parents' home when tragedy struck.

Lisa Edwards, aged 27, of Woodvale Close, Padgate, had travelled from the South of England and was nearing junction 21 of the M6 when her Transit van was in collision with a Renault car.

The force of the impact sent her van smashing into the safety barriers of the Thelwall Viaduct, and firefighters and ambulancemen staged a dramatic rescue as the vehicle balanced over a 60ft drop.

But their efforts could not save her and Lisa died shortly afterwards from her injuries.

Her devastated parents, Barrie and Joyce Edwards of Freshfields Drive, Woolston, and brother Neil, aged 24 , said that their pain had been made worse by the thought that Lisa had been close to leaving the motorway at the next junction.

Joyce said: "She was a very up front, outgoing girl. She was full of life, beautiful. She loved animals and had a very caring nature. She had a big circle of friends and loved to socialise."

Lisa was a rock music fan and would go to rock nights at the Carlton, the Barley Mow and the Lion on Bridge Street.

In 1991 the former Padgate High School and Warrington Collegiate Institute student stayed in Australia for three months, and it was when she returned that she started working as a van driver.

"She had trained to be a graphic designer," said Barrie. "When she found it hard to get work she started driving, and really enjoyed it."

He added: "The thing we find most difficult to come to terms with is the circumstances She had come from South Kent that day and was literally seconds from coming off the motorway.

"She had spoken to me on her mobile phone an hour before to say she would be coming to our house before she went home."

Police are investigating the cause of the crash. The driver of the other vehicle involved, a 44-year-old woman from Halesowen, West Midlands, was interviewed and bailed to return to Warrington police station later this month.

Barrie said: "The support from people since the crash has been overwhelming. We didn't realise she had so many friends and want to thank everyone who has offered us their condolences.

"I have spoken to the lorry driver who used his crane to hold back the van and stop it toppling over and thanked him. I have also thanked the paramedics who risked their lives trying to save her, and have thanked the hospital staff."

Lisa was due to be cremated on Thursday afternoon, prior to interment at Christ Church, Padgate, today, Friday.

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