TRIBUTES were paid tonight to an Oxford schoolgirl killed in a crash which also left a promising rugby player fighting for his life.

Seventeen-year-old Grace Hadman, a boarder at St Edward’s School in North Oxford, died when the Toyota Yaris she was a passenger in veered off the A34 at Wytham and collided with a tree-lined crash barrier at 4.15am yesterday.

Fellow passenger Joe Robinson, 18, of Thame, a promising rugby player and former St Edward’s School pupil, remained in a critical condition last night.

A 17-year-old girl, from Buckinghamshire, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving under influence of drink or drugs, has been bailed while an 18-year-old male passenger, from Boars Hill, is recovering from minor injuries.

Both are also St Edward’s School pupils.

Last night, Grace’s parents Bill and Caroline Hadman, of Lower Swell, Gloucestershire, said: “To us, she was the most perfect girl – thoughtful, kind, knowing, sensible, bubbly, happy, endlessly smiling, loving, and giving – so very beautiful inside and out.

“We cannot begin to describe how much we love her or pay tribute enough to her.”

Andrew Trotman, headteacher at St Edward’s School, said Ms Hadman was the school’s netball captain, prepared her house’s winning entry in a school singing contest and was Head Sacristan at the school chapel.

She was studying A-Level maths, art and biology and planned a gap year before going to university, Mr Trotman said.

He added: “She was a terrific pupil and very personable, lively and very popular. We are going to miss her terribly. She was hard-working and a driving force in charitable activities.

“She was bright, sporty and artistic. Her competitiveness was evident on the sports field, as well as her single-mindedness.

“Grace’s independence, ebullience and willingness to stand up for what she believed in made her a very valuable member of the school.”

Her best friend, Lara Pelling, 17, started a Facebook group mourning Grace’s death, which tonight had more than 600 members.

She said: “It is a reflection of how popular she was.

“Grace was sensibly crazy and always knew what she wanted and when she wanted it. Everyone knows she was a fun girl who would have done anything for her friends.

“The accident was just bad luck. Everyone is in shock.”

Grace also represented the county at hockey and was a former member of the City of Oxford swimming club.

She was a pupil at the Dragon School between 1999 and 2004 and bursar Ian Caws said: “She was a delightful and very popular pupil, who played an active part in every aspect of Dragon life.”

Mr Robinson remains in a critical condition at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

The gap year student plays cricket for Thame Town and rugby for Chinnor’s first team. He also had trials with Ireland Exiles under-19s.

His father Kevin is the former chairman of the Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union.

Mr Trotman said: “He is a very gifted sportsman and a lovely boy. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Anyone with information about the accident should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.