The family of a ‘beautiful soul’ who died after a crash in Shipton Moyne have released a tribute.
22-year-old Grace Vater, known to many as Gracie, died on Christmas Day following a road traffic collision involving a quad bike two days earlier.
Three air ambulances attended the scene in Whitehouse Lane, in the village near Malmesbury, where she was stabilised and flown to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
Her family have released a tribute through Gloucestershire Constabulary. It reads: “We as a family are totally devastated to have lost our beautiful darling Gracie.
“A treasured and much loved daughter, sister, granddaughter and aunty.
“She was the most kind, caring and beautiful soul inside and out, and would help anybody that needed her help. She was loved by everyone who met her.
“A country girl with the biggest heart and a huge love for animals, especially dogs, pigs and cows.
“Our lives will never be the same without her, but we take comfort in knowing that Gracie is with her beloved dad. We ask that all of Gracie’s family are given privacy during this horrific time.”
Tributes online label Gracie ‘bubbly, generous, genuine and amazing’ – read more >
Crash detectives believe Gracie fell off a quad bike which overturned on Whitehouse Lane shortly after 2pm on Saturday (23 December).
The rider, a man from the Cotswold, made off from the scene on the quad bike. Following a search involving a police helicopter and dog, he was located and arrested. The vehicle was also recovered.
He was held in custody on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice, driving while under the influence of drugs and driving without a licence or insurance.
A second man, suspected of riding a second vehicle involved, was also arrested for causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Both aged 29 and 30 and from the Cotswolds, were released on bail – with conditions – prior to Gracie’s death.
Officers are still seeking information in connection with the collision.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the quad bike being driven prior to the incident can provide information to police online by completing a form and quoting incident 251 of 23 December.
