Young couple killed after their van crashed off a country road

A young couple have tragically been killed after their van crashed off a country road.

Ryan Duffy, 24, was driving Ellie Marsden, 20, in a Citroen Berlingo when the pair were involved in a fatal one-vehicle collision on Sunday.

Emergency services were called to the B6260 between Kings Meaburn and Drybeck, in Cumbria, at 7.40am but sadly the pair were pronounced dead at the scene.

Cumbria Police said inquiries are still ongoing to establish the full circumstances which led to the tragic deaths of the couple, who were from Wigan, Gtr Manchester.

On Wednesday, their heartbroken families paid tribute to the couple in emotional statements after they were officially named by police.

Ellie's family said they have been left ‘heartbroken for all eternity’ over her death.

In a touching tribute, care worker Ellie's family said she was a ‘kind, loving’ and caring’ woman who ‘just wanted to make the world a better place’.

They said in a statement: "Ellie had grown into the most amazing young lady with all of the qualities that you can only hope for in a daughter.

"So full of fun with a quick-witted sense of humour, she made us immensely proud.

“Every bone in her body was kind, loving, caring and she just wanted to make the world a better place.

“Ellie’s beauty was breath-taking both inside and out and we will be heartbroken for all eternity.

“We are so thankful for the precious 20 years that we got with Ellie and watching her grow up in to the most amazing, loving human being and our hearts burst with pride.

“We can’t comprehend that she has been taken from us."

Her family also told how Ellie loved her 'biggest hero', dad Allan, 'incredible amounts'.

She was also mum Kelly's 'pride and joy' and was her 'very best friend in the whole wide world'.

Her sister Chloe was described 'heartbroken' to have lost her 'one and only best friend' and 'soulmate'.

Ellie worked as a care assistant at Golborne Day Centre, a job her family said she loved.

They went on: "Ellie absolutely loved this job, she loved the staff like family and more importantly she loved all of the elderly clients that she cared for having time for each and every one of them.

“Ellie often came home singing the old songs that would be played around the day centre and her eyes filled with tears of love telling us about her clients there and how she wanted to make them feel loved and happy.

“This was Ellie through and through she just wanted to make a difference, to make everyone happy."

Ellie’s family said she ‘found love’ when she met Ryan, who made her ‘so happy’.

In a touching tribute to the pair, her family added: “I am grateful she found someone who made her so happy who she shared so many loving and fun times with.

“From going to festivals and posh hotels to hikes and fishing trips, camping at a lake. Ryan taught her to fish.

“We never thought Ellie would have entertained this idea and we laughed about how this glam and beautiful princess would light up the lake and bring the glam to fishing.

“I am so glad that Ellie got to experience true love and a young man looking after her as she deserved all of this and more.”

Ryan’s mum, who hasn’t been named by the police, said her entire world would be ‘lost without him’ in a heart-breaking tribute.

She said: “Ryan was a kind hearted, fun loving, happy, son, grandson, nephew and friend to many.

“Ryan lived for his family and friends and was devoted to his girlfriend Ellie.

"He had a big heart and personality and was adored by all who knew him.

“Ryan loved fishing and took every opportunity possible to try and catch that elusive 'big fish'.

“We are devastated as a family at his passing, he will be sorely missed every single day until we meet him again. As his Mum he was my entire world and I will be lost without him.”

Cumbria Police said they have launched a investigating to establish the full circumstances which led to the tragic deaths of the couple.

Cops are appealing for anyone who witnessed a white Citroen Berlingo van in the area or have information on this incident to get in touch.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit, calling 101 or email sciu@cumbria.police.uk quoting incident number 61 of 5 September.

• Story from SWNS