Portsmouth athletes pay tribute to Hampshire runners killed by car

Lucy Pygott, 17, and Stacey Burrows, 16, were both struck as they crossed a road in Aldershot on Tuesday evening.

The pair were both members of Aldershot, Farnham and District (AFD) Athletic Club, and were taking part in a training session at the time.

Since their death tributes have poured in from the athletics community, including runners from City of Portsmouth Athletics Club.

Chairman Phil Budd said many of the club’s runners knew the girls from competing against each other at various events, and described them as ‘very friendly and approachable’.

He added: ‘We knew them so well. Many of us in the sport have got kids running, so I can only imagine what their families are going through.

‘They were such nice kids. Some of our club have roomed with them at various events. It is a very close community and it will hit people badly.

‘They will be very much in our minds.’

In tribute all athletes from the club will be wearing black armbands at their cross country competition in Bournemouth this weekend, while there will also be a minute silence.

Fareham-born athlete Andy Vernon, who represented Great Britain in the 10,000m at the Rio Olympics in August, is also a member of AFD.

He has announced that he will be wearing a black ribbon when competing this weekend in tribute to the girls.

A 24-year-old man arrested in connection with the crash has been confirmed by the Army as a serving soldier.

The soldier was detained on suspicion of two offences of causing death by dangerous driving, two offences of death by careless driving through drink or drugs and the offence of drink-driving.

He was released on Wednesday evening on conditional bail until February 14, 2017.

Did you know either Lucy and Stacey, or run with or against them? If you would like to pay your own tribute you can email us at [email protected], call 02392 622114 or leave a message on our Facebook page.