A TEENAGE girl has told for the first time of the moment a car ploughed into her two pals as they walked to school – killing her best friend Liberty Baker.

Bronte Moulder, 14, des-cribed seeing Liberty’s body in the road after a blue Citroen C2 crashed into them at 8am on Monday in Curbridge Road, Witney.

It comes as The Henry Box School, where the girls attended along with Mercy Greaney – the other girl hit by the car – revealed Miss Baker was due to be given an award.

Oxford Mail:

Miss Moulder, who walked to school with Liberty, pictured, and her school pals each day, said: “All three of us were walking in a row – I was on the right, Lib was in the middle and Mercy was closest to the kerb on the left.

“We were just walking along talking as usual and there was no warning – the car just zoomed onto the pavement behind us and hit them both.

“At first I thought I was dreaming because it all happened in about 20 seconds.

“The driver of the car got out and said he was really sorry and that he just lost control.”

Bronte’s mother Sarah Moulder, 49, was driving to work when she came across the devastating scene just moments after the crash, 200 yards from their home.

She said: “I saw a girl in school uniform in the road and my first thought was ‘thank God it’s not Bronte.’ “But then I saw her and I saw Mercy at the side of the road. I just couldn’t digest it when I realised it was Liberty lying in the road.

It’s absolutely heartbreaking. She was so full of life and such a beautiful, lovely girl. She was a happy-go-lucky child and nothing ever bothered her.

“We used to joke that Lib never thought too deeply about life, she was just living it and enjoying herself.

Bronte’s father Simon Moulder said: “Bronte was just inches away from getting hit by the car. We are still in shock now and can't believe Liberty is gone. She loved life and it’s such a sad thing to happen.”

Yesterday, Henry Box School paid tribute to pupil Miss Baker and revealed she had been nominated by her tutor for an award.

Head of Year Nine, Katie Briggs, said: “Liberty was a lovely, friendly, bubbly girl.

“She was a popular student among her year group and the wider school community.

“She was due to receive an award, for which she had been nominated by her tutor and tutor group, for her contribution to the school.”

Headteacher Wendy Hemmingsley added: “Everyone at Henry Box is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of Liberty and our thoughts are with Liberty’s family.”

The school has offered tailored support through its counselling service to pupils and staff.

Yesterday, about 50 pupils walked through Witney to Curbridge Road to pay their respects to Liberty.

David Snow, North War councillor for West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “I saw what seemed like an army of students heading to the accident site to pay their respects, which I thought was quite moving.

“It’s really awful what happened. It could bring the community together and help people realise how fragile life is.”

Liberty's family are members of Our Lady and St Hugh Roman Catholic Church on Moorland Road.

Catherine Buxton, parish secretary for the church, said: “Our priest, Father Patrick Brown, has been with the family this afternoon offering them his support.

“We opened the church for prayer immediately after the accident and there has been a steady flow of people since then, saying prayers and lighting candles.”

And St Mary’s Church, in Church Green, opened its doors for mourners to leave messages and light candles in memory of Liberty.

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A campaign has been launched online to plant a memorial tree at Henry Box School.

‘The Henry Box, Plant a Memorial Tree for Libery Baker’ Facebook page had 5,300 ‘likes’ as the Oxford Mail went to press yesterday.

Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron joined in the tributes. He said: “I was incredibly saddened to hear of Monday’s incident which resulted in the death of Liberty Baker. I know that the whole of Witney, a very close community, will be mourning the terrible loss of this young girl.”

A man in his 40s was also hit by the car on Monday and suffered a broken hip.

Last night, he was still in hospital recovering.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on police bail until August 10.

Injured man is council officer

THE male pedestrian injured in Monday’s crash is an officer for West Oxford District Council, the Oxford Mail can today reveal.

He is believed to be in his 40s and was taken by ambulance to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, where he was yesterday being treated for serious leg injuries.

David Neudegg, chief executive of the district council, said: “We were all extremely saddened to hear that one of our colleagues was involved in yesterday’s horrific incident in Curbridge Road, Witney, when a teenager so tragically lost her life.

“As well as working here, many of our staff and council members live locally and share in the sorrow that the town is experiencing at this very difficult time.

“Our heartfelt thoughts go out to those involved, as well as their families and friends.”

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