Cardiff student killed whilst walking her dog shortly after returning home from university
‘She brought joy and fun into the lives of all she met’
Gabriella Estrada-CastillonA student at Cardiff University has been killed whilst walking her dog shortly after returning home for summer.
Lucy Atkins, a first-year student, was hit by a car whilst walking her Lakeland Terrier, Simba, on 24th June in Quinton, Birmingham.
In a touching tribute shared by West Midlands Police, Lucy’s parents and brother described her as a “wonderful daughter, full of life and always spreading joy and fun.”
They added: “She was a force of nature, living life to its fullest”.
Her family continued by saying: “Lucy had just finished her first year at Cardiff University and was looking forward to sharing a house with her friends for her second year.”
The collision took place on West Boulevard in Quinton shortly before 8:45 am, between Barnes Hill and Quinton Road West.
Expressing their gratitude to those who tried to help their daughter and her dog, the family said: “We are deeply thankful to the passers-by and emergency services who tried to save Lucy and Simba, and to everyone who has left tributes and sent messages of sympathy.”
The driver who is suspected to be involved in the collision stayed at the scene and is assisting the police’s investigation.
The Dean of Cardiff University’s Business School, Professor Rachel Ashworth told Sky News that staff and students were “feeling devastated”.
She added: “Lucy was an energetic, engaged and talented student, who had such a passion for learning.”
She continued by saying: “She was always surrounded by friends and her smile was constant. We are heartbroken but incredibly thankful that Lucy chose Cardiff and brought such positivity, kindness and light to our business school.
“Our thoughts are with Lucy’s family, her classmates and her friends at this most challenging of times.”
Authorities are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dash cam footage from the area at the time to come forward.
Information can be provided via Live Chat on the police website, by calling 101 and quoting log 857 of 24/6/24, or by emailing [email protected].
Feature Image Credit: West Midlands Police
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