Parents of petrol station tragedy teen ‘bear no ill-will’

The parents of a teenager killed in a horror petrol station smash say they feel no malice towards the other motorist involved in the accident.

Distraught John and Shanneal Herron say they have “accepted” popular daughter Eilish died as the result of a terrible accident.

Netball star Eilish, 17, died after being run over as she filled up her car at a supermarket petrol station in Linwood, Renfrewshire, on Wednesday.

It’s understood she was trapped under an 81-year-old driver’s car. Police are investigating if he put the automatic in reverse by mistake.

Last night Shanneal, 46, an NHS IT trainer, said: “We are absolutely devastated and trying hard to accept that Eilish has gone. But we bear no ill-will towards the elderly driver in the Ford Focus who killed her.

“It was a freak accident and we believe that he has become immensely distressed by it all. The police have told us he has taken it very badly and we are concerned for his health.”

The anguished parents have also revealed plans for an 18th birthday party for Eilish will still go ahead on October 12.

“It’s what Eilish would have wanted because she loved family events,” Shanneal added. “It will be a big get together.”

There is one aspect of the tragedy the family are finding particularly difficult to cope with.

Healthcare student Eilish dreamed of being a nurse and was the proud owner of an organ donor card. However, because she died at the scene of the accident her organs were unable to be donated.

“We have to accept that is how it was for Eilish,” Shanneal added. “We all saw the advert on TV (for organ donor cards) and decided there and then that was the right thing to do. It was something Eilish felt strongly about. She was always thinking of others because she was that kind of person.”

Despite their distress, dad John, 44, a recruitment firm director, said they are all taking comfort from the wonderful way Eilish lit up the world in the brief time that she had.

“Eilish lived every day to the full and was loved by everyone,” he said. “As hard as it is to accept that she has gone, I would not swap the 17 years we had with her for the heartbreak we are going through now.

“We both told her every day that we loved her and have no regrets about anything left unsaid.

“She made an impact on countless people and even her primary school teachers have got in touch to say how upset they are”.

The couple are considering fundraising to help young sports fans, in memory of Eilish.

“It is certainly something we are giving thought to because Eilish was always keen to coach youngsters and help them excel,” Shanneal revealed.

Eilish, of Paisley, had only just passed her driving test. She has a brother Niall, 15, and sister Neave, 12, and was understood to be on her way to collect them from school when tragedy struck.