THE family of a 12-year-old, killed on holiday in Gran Canaria have thanked the public for their support.
Dewsbury’s Abigail Harris died on Sunday evening when a car mounted the pavement in the resort of Puerto Rico, soon after the group celebrated her sister’s birthday.
Her friend, Thomas Thackray, also 12, was injured but has been released from hospital.
Her father, Tony Harris, paid tribute to the girl affectionately known as “Abbs Fabbs” on behalf of her mother Nicola and sister Jessica.
He said: “We would like to say a big thank you to all our family and friends after the tragic loss of our beautiful ‘little sweetheart’ daughter Abigail.
“Thanks for all their cards and calls and support at this sad time.
“We would also like to say a special thank you to all the children and teachers at St Paulinus and St John Fisher High School for their support and for the children’s messages on Facebook.
“These go to confirm to us what a well loved person Abbi really was.
“She will be sadly missed by all that knew her and particularly by all of us.
“Thank you all.”
The family remains in Gran Canaria and cannot yet even look to organise flights which have been affected by the aftermath of the volcanic ash cloud.
They must first receive approval to leave from the country’s judiciary, but the family said the authorities have been extremely helpful.
The Foreign Office has been providing the family with consular assistance.
Two people, a man and his daughter have been detained in Gran Canaria.
Judge San Bartolomê de Tirajana heard testimony on Monday afternoon and ordered the extended detention of the pair, named locally as Jaime, 50, and Ingrid.
After the accident the blue Ford Escort carried on from the scene, but they stopped 300 yards later after being pursued by a taxi driver who was nearby.
Reports in the Diario de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria newspaper suggest that a line of investigation is apparent confusion over who was driving the vehicle.
The paper reported that there were no sign of the car having braked at the scene.
In the UK pupils and staff at Abigail’s school, St John Fisher will gather for a memorial service and are waiting to see if one can be held with the participation of her family.
Headteacher Kevin Higgins said the school community had lost a popular member who was “full of fun”, and that everyone had been affected by the tragedy.
