Crash teenagers 'life and soul of party'

TWO teenage friends who died in a car crash were the "life and soul of the party", their devastated parents said yesterday.

• Crash victims Callum Matheson and Ahlee Jackson: Jackson was not thought to have obtained her full driving licence. Pictures: Complimentary

Callum Matheson and Ahlee Jackson, both 17 and from Inverness, were in a car being driven by Ms Jackson which crashed through a wall and hit a tree near the city centre. It is believed Ms Jackson had not yet obtained her full driving licence.

The car was once owned by her boyfriend, Kieran Ramsay, who died just two months ago in another road accident. She and Mr Matheson had been friends for many years but were not in a relationship.

Their parents, Mhairi and David Jackson, and Diane and Graham Matheson, said the teenagers were strong friends from the time they started primary school together and later both attended Inverness Royal Academy.

"They have been close friends for years, supporting each other through the bad times and with each other for the good," their parents said in a statement.

Callum played football up to under-15 level with Highland League side Clachnacuddin and took part in a tournament in Holland with Inverness United youth team two years ago. He was due to play for an amateur team in Inverness this year.

The families' statement continued: "Ahlee was a very caring person and loved nothing more than to help people which she fulfilled working at a local nursing home and more recently at Birchwood Recovery Centre. They were always very sociable, being the life and soul of the party.

"We cannot describe the loss we feel, but would like to thank everyone for their support."

John Beaton, Clachnacuddin FC's head of youth development, said of Callum: "He was a nice boy, a typical teenager. I found him easy to get on with. He was a good player, committed and a good leader on the park. It's tragic."

Yesterday a relative of Callum wept as she said Ahlee did not yet have her full licence: "What was she thinking of, getting behind the wheel with no licence?

"But they are young and did not think. It is such a tragedy. It is so awful, especially happening so soon after her boyfriend was killed in a car crash."

Apprentice mechanic Kieran Ramsay, 22, died in January after his works van left a Highland road in icy conditions and hit a tree.

Ahlee and Callum were understood to be heading home when the crash happened at 9:20am on Sunday at the junction of Island Bank Road and Drummond Crescent. The car struck a road sign, demolished a foot-thick wall and then smashed into a tree.

Floral tributes were left at the crash scene yesterday. One read: "RIP Ahlee and Callum. Can't believe you gone. It is always the good ones. Sleep tight angels, love Michelle."

Another, from Julie and Beth, said: "We are all so upset that we have lost a special friend like you. Our memories of you will always be so special."

Similar messages were also posted on social network sites.