‘Devastated’ household pay tribute to woman, 16, killed when automotive filled with youngsters plunged into river – as driver, 18, stays lacking
The ‘devastated’ family of a 16-year-old girl killed when a car plunged into a river in Cambridgeshire have paid tribute, as the driver remains missing.
Eden Bunn, 16, from Sutton Bridge, died after the car she was travelling in entered the River Nene at North Brink near Wisbech St Mary on Tuesday.
Declan Berry, 18, from Wisbech, who remains missing, is believed to have been driving the VW Polo when it entered the water.
The vehicle, which was carrying five teenagers southbound aged 16 to 18, left the road and entered the water at around 8.20pm.
Three people, two females and one male, are known to have got out of the vehicle and were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn with non-life-threatening injuries.
A further teenage boy and girl were classed as missing by police, until officers pulled the body of the female from the river on Wednesday afternoon.
In a tribute, Eden’s parents, Lisa and Dean, her brother Jay, sister Shelby and nephew Axl said: ‘Eden was the kindest, most loving girl we could ever wish for.
‘Her horses – Daisy and Dolly – were her world, and she was ours. Words cannot describe the tragedy that will stay with us until we are able to meet her again.’
Eden Bunn, 16, from Sutton Bridge, died after the car she was travelling in entered the River Nene at North Brink near Wisbech St Mary on Tuesday
Declan Berry, 18, from Wisbech, who remains missing, is believed to have been driving the VW Polo when it entered the water
Today, Declan’s family laid flowers at the side of the River Nene. A statement released through Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: ‘We are absolutely devastated beyond words and ask for privacy during this tragic time.’
Relatives posted photographs of flowers laid at the scene, describing the last few days as ‘very long’ and ’emotional’.
His brother, who previously shared a photo of Declan to celebrate his 18th birthday last week, added: ‘If anyone want to come leave flowers that’s fine the more the better.
‘We are also going to give him a big send off that everyone will be invited to when the times and dates are confirmed.
‘We will keep you all updated thank you for your support, lots of love from the Berry family and myself.’
One of Declan’s sisters said: ‘We are still currently waiting for him to be found, we are hoping we can arrange a funeral and a good send off with all his family and friends which would be welcome.
‘FOREVER 18 brother, miss and love you always.’
Declan’s mother was understood to have visited the riverside on Thursday, as police divers temporarily suspended their search for the missing teenager.
Eden’s parents said they were ‘devastated’ by her death and that her two horses were her ‘whole world’
Declan Berry, 18, has been confirmed to be missing following the crash in Cambridgeshire by members of his family
Relatives of 18-year-old Declan Berry laid flowers at the side of the River Nene near the town of Wisbech St Mary on Thursday
Of the three teenagers treated after the incident, one 16-year-old girl remains in hospital.
Another 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy have since been discharged.
One of the girls to survive is said to have climbed through a smashed window in order to escape the car after it became submerged in the river.
Efforts remain ongoing to find Declan, whose social media accounts show a passion for motorbikes. Friends said he had a part-time job in a motorcycle shop, having previous done work as a gardener.
A dark green metal barrier stretches along most of the riverbank close to the single track carriageway which is also flanked by a five foot high grass bank.
The barrier varies in height from around three to eight feet in certain parts but it is not continuous along the whole stretch of North Brink.
Billy Cunningham, a local resident, told how he was one of the first on scene to the ‘horrific’ crash and witnessed the teenagers climbing out of the car.
He said the teenagers said the car had hit a pothole and the driver had lost control.
Efforts remain ongoing to find Declan, whose social media accounts show a passion for motorbikes
Cambridgeshire police remained at the scene on Wednesday evening after recovery of the 16-year-old’s body
‘Then as the ambulance turned up, we saw a young girl just screaming in the hedges.
‘We were out there with the police and our torches trying to check no one had got out and was lying on the bank.
‘This isn’t the first time something like this has happened here. One year we had a lady go off the road at exactly the same bit.
‘People fly over the junction at Beavis Lane and end up on the bank. God knows how they ended up in the river.
‘People do speed down here. It’s a dead straight road.
‘They do 60mph, more, because there’s no speed cameras or police cars. It should be a 30mph road – 40mph at a push. The quality of the tarmac is shocking.’
Other locals said they had gone out to search along the bank with torches in the immediate aftermath.
DI Craig Wheeler, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘This is a truly devastating collision, for all involved. My thoughts are with the friends and family of Eden and Declan during this truly horrific time.
‘Our investigation is at an early stage, but I would appeal to anyone who may have seen the collision or the blue VW Polo in the Wisbech area between 7pm and 8.20pm on Tuesday to contact police.
‘Our focus remains on trying to find Declan, however due to challenging nature of the river, this could be a timely process. During this period, there will be an increased police presence along the River Nene whilst we continue our efforts to find him.’
The River Nene at North Brink is a tidal stretch of water which links to The Wash.
Its depth varies with the tide, ranging from 9 to 15 feet.
Police are appealing for witnesses and those with dashcam footage to contact them, referencing incident 515 of March 17.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary has been contacted for further comment.
