A YOUNG woman from Upper Froyle and a Guildford man were killed in an accident involving a lorry and three cars on the A31 Farnham bypass on Tuesday.

Laura Bowden (18), a former pupil at EggarÕs School was driving to her college course in Guildford when the tragedy occurred.

The accident happened at 11-45 am, between HickleyÕs Corner and the Shepherd and Flock roundabout, causing gridlock in and around Farnham for most of the day. The bypass was re-opened at 5-15pm

A police spokesperson said a south-bound Leyland Daf lorry from Penistone, near Sheffield, crossed the central reservation, and was in collision with several vehicles travelling north-bound.

These included the cars of the two motorists who died, a Fiat Cinqecento being driven by Laura Bowden, and a Volkswagen Polo driven by William Halstead (63), who was with his wife.

The other vehicle involved was a Vauxhall Astra, whose driver was from Bordon.

Four adults and a child, who are not being named, also suffered injuries in the accident.

They were taken to Frimley Park Hospital by the four ambulances attending the scene, but all have been released after treatment.

Emergency doctors were called to the scene of the accident, as were fire and ambulance services, which first arrived at 11-57 am.

Also in attendance was an accident investigation officer, and aerial photographs were also taken of the scene.

Rachel Marlow, a friend of Laura Bowden, could not believe what had happened, but wanted to pay tribute to her. friend.

She said: ÒLaura has been my friend since I was 11, and she was always the lively one of our group.Ó

We went to EggarÕs School together, where she loved doing art and drama. She was a very clever girl, much more academic than the rest of us, and was planning to go to university.

ÒShe had lots of friends, and was very popular, and is the last person this should have happened to.Ó

ÒLaura has always been there for me, and helped me through a hard time at my college in London, encouraging me to stay on.

ÒShe was there for everyone, and will never be forgotten. She has done so much for me.Ó

At the time of going to press the circumstances surrounding the accident were still under investigation by police.