Family's tears as crash student is laid to rest

FAMILY and friends of a student killed in a car crash on a busy city centre street gathered to pay their respects yesterday.

More than 400 mourners attended the funeral service for Laura Stewart, 20, who was killed along with her friend Mhairi Convy, 18, when they were hit by a Range Rover in Glasgow.

They included the accounting student's parents John and Linda, her 13-year-old brother and her boyfriend Martin McSorley, 20.

The funeral was held at Our Lady and St Helen's Parish Church in Laura's hometown of Cumbernauld.

In a service led by Father Gerald Sharkey, the congregation sang hymns including Soul Of My Saviour, Ave Maria and Walk With Me O My Lord.

The order of service featured a photograph of Laura accompanied by the motto of the Stewart clan: "Courage grows strong at a wound."

All the mourners were also given a Stewart tartan ribbon to wear on their lapel as they entered the church.

A wreath of white flowers from her parents was placed inside the funeral hearse.

A card attached to it read: "With all of our love for always, Mum and Dad xxx."

Another was laid by Laura's younger brother and friends also left a wreath shaped as a pink and white handbag.

Following the hour-long service Laura's white coffin was carried out as tearful members of her family stood arm in arm.

The coffin was then taken to nearby Eastfield Cemetery in the town for a private burial service.

The funeral for Mhairi Convy will be held at Clydebank Crematorium near Glasgow today.

Mourners will include her parents Aileen and Alan, and her brother Ruairi, who are from Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire.

They were too upset to attend yesterday's service although Laura's family plan to attend today.

The two students were walking in North Hanover Street in Glasgow when a Range Rover veered out of control, mounted the pavement and hit them on 17 December.

The tragedy happened as the pair were on their way to the shops during a break between classes at Glasgow College Of Commerce.

Another pedestrian, Mark Hopwood, was hit by the 4x4 moments before it struck the girls.

Last week it was claimed William Payne, 50, the driver of the Range Rover, was diagnosed with epilepsy after the crash.

Strathclyde Police are still investigating the incident.

Glasgow College of Commerce will hold a memorial service for the pair in the New Year.