A YOUNG woman who survived a car crash in which her 12-year-old sister died has paid tribute to her sibling.

Grace Arnold was travelling in the car with victim Evelyn Arnold, a pupil at the Queen Elizabeth grammar school at Faversham.

Also in the vehicle when it overturned on the M2 on Friday, August 25, were her brother Rowan, and father Graham, who was driving.

Grace, 21, and Rowan, 15, escaped from the car without help but Mr Arnold, 44, suffered chest injuries. Another brother, Joel, and mother Janice Arnold were not in the car.

Grace said: “We want people to know how lovely, sensitive and sassy she was, because we are so proud of her and so grateful that she was our beautiful Evelyn.”

Mr Arnold was formerly Vicar of St John’s Church at Swalecliffe. The family, from Seasalter, near Whitstable, issued a statement through a friend, the Rev Steve Coneys.

Mr Coneys said: “We heard the news about Evelyn with overwhelming sadness. The churches of the Whitstable team are offering support to Graham, Janice, Grace, Joel and Rowan.

“We love Graham and Janice and their family dearly and we are praying that God will make his loving presence known in their great loss.”

Jane Percy, head teacher at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School described Evelyn as a fantastic girl. She stressed: “She was very caring, very sensitive and always cheerful with a great sense of humour.

“She was the first form captain of the year and always kept a watchful eye out for all the other pupils. She was a great communicator with staff and pupils alike and she will be very sadly missed.”

Evelyn finished Year 7 in the top five in her form and was chosen for a special trip to Farming World where a crew was waiting to film a television programme called Tricky TV.

It is due to be screened in September if her parents agree and Mrs Percy said it would be a lovely tribute to her.

Mrs Percy said: “It was a privilege to have her in school and we are all really going to miss her.

Evelyn’s funeral will be held on Friday, September 22, at 1pm at All Saints’ Church, Whitstable. All inquiries should be directed to John Kemp funeral directors on 01227 272255.