The teenager who died in a horrific crash when the car she was travelling in hit a tree was a 15-year-old pupil at Marlborough secondary school in Woodstock.

Tributes to 15-year-old Sarah Ertl at the scene of the crashPolice today named the girl as Sarah Ertl who lived with her family at a cottage in Somerton, near Bicester.

Her mother Christine today told the Oxford Mail: "We have lost a very loved and very beautiful daughter."

Her father Anton has made an online account of the tragedy, which has attracted messages of support and condolence.

Another 15-year-old girl was seriously injured in the collision and is still fighting for her life in a critical condition at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

The collision happened at 7.35pm on Saturday when a black Toyota Yaris left the road and collided with a tree, on the B4030 towards Middle Barton.

The 17-year-old driver escaped uninjured.

Moving tributes are being left by the roadside at the scene of the crash, many from Sarah's schoolfriends.

Pc Robert Mackintosh, of Bicester Roads Policing Department, said: "I appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or saw a vehicle matching this description in the locality to contact us."

Anyone with information can contact Pc Mackintosh on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Villagers meanwhile have spoken of the dangers of the road, including resident Paul Watts. He said: "I have cars going through my hedge, I have had no end of them down here. It's a bad road. I get at least three a year.

"They just come own the bend too fast, especially when it's wet and rainy."