Tributes to women who died in A27 collision near Chichester

The families of two women who died in a collision on the A27 near Chichester have paid tribute to them.
Gillian Casey (pictured right) and Elizabeth Wales, known as Anne WalesGillian Casey (pictured right) and Elizabeth Wales, known as Anne Wales
Gillian Casey (pictured right) and Elizabeth Wales, known as Anne Wales

Gillian Casey, 75, (pictured right) of Turnbull Road, Chichester, and Elizabeth Wales, known as Anne Wales, 80, (pictured left) of Melbourne Road, Chichester, died when the purple Renault Zoe they were passengers in was involved in a collision with a white Ford Focus on Thursday evening (February 27), police said.

Both vehicles left the road, to the west of the Fishbourne roundabout, and crashed into trees alongside the eastbound carriageway, at about 10.10pm.

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Emergency services from Sussex and Hampshire, including an air ambulance, attended but Gillian and Anne were both sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Gillian Casey was remembered as 'a wonderful wife, mother and grandma'Gillian Casey was remembered as 'a wonderful wife, mother and grandma'
Gillian Casey was remembered as 'a wonderful wife, mother and grandma'

Paying tribute to Gillian, her family said: “Gill was quite simply a wonderful wife, mother and grandma.

“Throughout her working life she was a dedicated primary school teacher, and in her spare time and since retirement she loved to spend time with her family and her many close friends.

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“She was a passionate gardener and was an active and valued member of a large number of local clubs.

Elizabeth Wales, known as Anne, had a 'heartfelt commitment to the needs of others'Elizabeth Wales, known as Anne, had a 'heartfelt commitment to the needs of others'
Elizabeth Wales, known as Anne, had a 'heartfelt commitment to the needs of others'

“Gill was a committed woman of faith and spent significant periods of time working on behalf of those less fortunate than herself.

“She regularly assisted at a local parish soup kitchen, raised large amounts of money on behalf of Christian Aid, volunteered to visit the elderly and lonely and worked with refugee families.

“Gill’s passing has left a massive void in the lives of the many people who loved her.

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“She leaves behind her devoted husband Francis, her adoring children Ben, Eleanor, Matthew and Jonathan and her loving grandchildren Alessandra, Thomas, Joseph, Niamh, Freya, Daniel and Luca.”

Paying tribute to Anne, her family said: “Elizabeth Anne Wales, known to everyone as Anne, had an unyielding and heartfelt commitment to the needs of others.

“Anne had lived in Chichester since 2002; she volunteered locally for Stonepillow on behalf of the homeless and was for decades a volunteer with Samaritans.

“Anne’s freely-given care extended also to Chichester Children’s Contact Centre and the local Christian Aid branch.

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“She chaired the committees of both, the latter alongside her husband Derek.

“Anne was a lady with a faith in both God and humanity that was deep, thoughtful and outward-looking.

“She attended and supported both St. Paul’s Church and Christ Church.

“For many years Anne was the essential heart of her family.

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“She gave unstintingly of herself to her children and latterly showed a similar loving commitment to her grandchildren.

“Among the extended family, and her many friends, she was cherished for a quite remarkable ability to offer love, support, fun and wise counsel.

“The sudden loss of Mum, of Nanny, of Anne leaves a hole in our lives like no other.”

The driver of the Ford Focus – a 27-year-old man from Emsworth – remains in Southampton Hospital with potentially life-threatening head injuries, police said.

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The three other occupants of the Zoe suffered minor injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, saw either of the cars in the time leading up to it or who has dash cam footage, is asked to email [email protected] quoting Operation Larkhill.

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