TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to a 15-year-old Accrington schoolgirl who has been killed in a car accident in Poland.

It is understood Beata Borjorek was on her way to the funeral of a grandparent when the car she was travelling in was involved in an accident on Thursday morning.

The parents of the teenager, who lived in Ormerod Street, were also in the car and were injured in the accident.

At the weekend they remained in hospital for treatment but the extent of their injuries has not been released.

Beata’s 12-year-old sister, Adriana, was also in the vehicle when the crash happened and she escaped unharmed.

Staff at Mount Carmel High School, where Beata was a pupil, paid tribute to the “outgoing” and “vivacious” teenager at a special memorial service on Friday.

Katrina Ryan, headteacher at the school in Wordsworth Road, said: “It has been a very sad day.

“The school community is devastated at this tragic event which shows just how fragile life is.

"The memorial service was very emotional for all the pupils and for the large Polish community that we have at the school.

“She was a popular and vivacious student who will be dearly missed and our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.”

Staff and pupils at the school have been offered counselling.

A memorial service is due to be held in St Joseph’s Church in Accrington this week.