The parents of 15-year-old car crash victim Sarah Ertl have told how they said goodbye to their daughter at the scene of the accident.

A picture of the family on holiday Just minutes after the crash, Toni and Christine Ertl, from Somerton, were called by Sarah's 17-year-old boyfriend, who had been driving the car when it hit a tree off the B4030 towards Middle Barton. They immediately drove to where the incident had occurred, not knowing whether it was serious or not.

Mrs Ertl said: "We are very grateful that is how it happened. It was much easier than if we had had a policeman turn up on the doorstep. We got to see her there."

The couple -- who said their strong Christian faith had been a great comfort since the crash at 7.30pm on Saturday -- said that Sarah's boyfriend, who has not been named, was a safe driver and a "lovely young man" who had "no reason to feel guilty".

The driver, who had been with Sarah for about 19 months, escaped unharmed, but another 15-year-old girl who was in the car is still in a critical condition at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Mr and Mrs Ertl believe the two girls had only met that day and had sat in the back so they could talk, while they were being driven to their respective homes after a catering job.

Since the accident, the couple, who also have a 17-year-old son Ben, say they have moved through the period of grief and anguish to 'simple sadness'.

Mr Ertl said: "The people in the village have been amazing. There has been so much prayer for us, we have been lifted up by that."

Mrs Ertl added: "We feel we have been upheld by the grace of God."

The couple have been to Sarah's school, Marlborough School in Shipton Road, Woodstock, and spoken with some of Sarah's friends.

A big fan of the rock band Queen, Sarah was thinking about learning the guitar, and had also drawn guitarist Brian May for her GCSE artwork. Because she had completed it before her death, her parents have decided to enter it into the exam.

Mrs Ertl also recalls shopping trips to London with her daughter, which were followed by a visit to the tribute musical We Will Rock You.

Mrs Ertl said: "She loved being with her friends. She loved shopping, making jewellery, listening to music, and -- potentially -- playing the guitar."

The couple have since met the parents of the injured girl who, they said, were naturally very upset, when they visited the hospital.

Mr and Mr Ertl have organised a private family funeral, but they will be holding an event to celebrate her life in the near future