Police ScotlandTributes have been paid to a nursery teacher and her daughter, described as “two perfect angels”, after they were killed in a crash in East Ayrshire.
Emergency services were called to the A76, near the junction with the B713, between Catrine and Auchinleck at 5pm on Tuesday following a single-car collision.
A six-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene, and a 32-year-old woman was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow where she died a short time later.
They were named on Wednesday as Rebecca Hill and her daughter, Arianna Aliu.
Onthank Early Childhood Centre, where Rebecca worked in Kilmarnock, said her sudden loss was a “terrible shock” for the whole team.
Linda McAulay-Griffiths, chief education officer and head of education at the nursery, said in a statement: “Rebecca Hill was a much loved and greatly admired colleague, who built strong relationships with the children of Onthank Early Childhood Centre and their families.
“Her sudden loss has been a terrible shock and the team at Onthank ECC, alongside myself, psychological services and Early Years Managers have been supporting each other through this very difficult time. Our amazing team at Onthank ECC, alongside my officers, will continue to provide love and support for each other and Rebecca’s family team in the coming weeks and months.
“I would also like to offer my deepest condolences to Rebecca and little Arianna’s family and friends. I hope that all the happy memories, I know you have, will bring strength, comfort and light that will help to guide you through this very sad time.”
Arianna’s father Mensur Aliu said on social media he was “broken” by the news.
“Thank you all for the support, means a lot to me”, he wrote.
“I’m deep down broken but I will be the strongest man for my other girls.
“I love you all, and everyone who knows me, they know I mean it.”
Sister and auntie, Aimee, revealed she would have “done anything to trade places with them” in a powerful tribute.
She wrote: “On Tuesday night I lost my big sister and my little best friend in a matter of seconds. I can’t express the pain we are going through as a family.
“My sister lived for my nieces and I hope we can do her proud with Ellie & Zahra. She was the best mum there ever was and we are going to be so lost without her.
“I would do anything to trade places with them or to have one more sleepover with my darling girl.
“Saying goodbye to the most two perfect angels will be a feeling that will never leave me.
“I’m just sorry I couldn’t have saved yous both. My only regret in life will be not telling yous how much I loved you both enough.”
The road was closed for around seven hours to allow for investigations to take place, and police thanked members of the public who stopped to help.
An investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident 2596 of September 24, 2024.
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