Teenager killed in South Ayrshire crash named

A teenager killed in a crash involving a car and a van has been named.

Jo Marshall, from Newton Stewart, died following the collision on the A714 between Girvan and Pinmore at about 10:00 on Thursday.

The 17-year-old was driving a blue Volkswagen Polo when it was involved in the crash with a white Ford Transit.

Two people, including a three-year-old girl, were also seriously hurt in the incident, while two others suffered minor injuries.

The road between Shalloch Park Roundabout and Pinmore was closed for several hours after the crash.

Jo was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 39-year-old woman and the toddler, who were passengers in the car, were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment.

Two other 17-year-olds, also in the car, suffered minor injuries and were treated at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.

Police Scotland said the 35-year-old driver of the van was uninjured.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Stephen Foster, headteacher at Douglas Ewart High School in Newton Stewart, said Jo had been a "well-respected, popular student" who had left the school in June this year.

He added: "Jo's loss has been met with much sadness here in the school.

"We have been, and will continue to, support students and staff in the coming days and weeks, as well as longer term.

"We are a strong community and we'll rally round each other at such a devastating time."

Insp Craig Beaver, of Ayrshire's roads policing unit, said his thoughts were with her family and friends at an "extremely difficult time".

He said: "Our investigation to establish the full circumstances remains ongoing and I would urge anyone who may have information which has not yet been passed to police to come forward."