Bedford Modern School student and her mother die in A421 collision

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Emma van der Avoird (left) and Khiana van der Avoird.

Tributes have been paid to a mother and daughter who died in a road crash on the A421 in Bedfordshire earlier this week.

Shortly before 8am on Monday, November, 2021, a van, car and HGV lorry were involved in a collision travelling westbound between the Black Cat roundabout and the A428.

Emma van der Avoird, 55, and her daughter Khiana van der Avoird, 16, of Little Paxton in Cambridgeshire, were pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, the family said: “Our family is overcome with sadness and grief at Emma and Khiana’s death in such tragic circumstances.

“They were both vibrant, strong and forthright people. Emma was on her way to take Khiana to Bedford Modern School, where she was a bright and popular student.

“Emma and Khiana were as close as any mother and daughter could be. Emma was a devoted mother who had poured her heart and soul into caring for Khiana since the sudden death of their husband and father Ed 10 years ago.

“Khiana was at the start of her life and was a beautiful and talented girl.

“We are devastated that they have been wrenched from us when both of them still had so much living to do.

“We will all miss Emma and Khiana dearly but take some comfort in the fact they have been reunited as a family.”

A man in his 20s from St Neots who was arrested in connection with the incident has since been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.