Tributes to 'compassionate, caring' 15-year-old who died after being hit on 'dangerous' Dudley road

Ruby Davies died on Monday, three days after being hit by a car on Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill, near Merry Hill shopping centre, and tributes have been laid on railings near to where the accident occurred.

A mixture of balloons and flowers were left at the scene with messages remembering Ruby, as well as a teddy bear.

At Link Academy in Netherton, there were more tributes being left to Ruby outside the school gates, including flowers and scented candles.

One of the messages left on the flowers said: “Oh Ruby, you’ve broken all our hearts.

“Will miss you ever so much. Will treasure you in my heart forever. Sleep tight baby, I love you.”

The principal of the Academy, Mrs Edwards-Morgan, sent out a letter to all parents and carersto inform them of Ruby’s death and let them know that all tributes would be collected and transferred to a memory tree.

She wrote: “It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the tragic accident that has happened to one of our Year 11 learners over the weekend.

“We were informed yesterday, that Ruby Davies was hit by a car on Friday evening and was transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for critical care. Despite the best efforts of the paramedics and hospital staff, Ruby sadly passed away yesterday.

“We have informed the learners in school and they are being supported by staff and I have also taken advice from Dudley Educational Psychology Service in how we can best support learners and staff that were closest to Ruby.”

“It is our intention with her family’s permission to have a place of reflection in the school grounds that will give learners a place to go to pay their respects and sign a book of condolence.

“If learners or the community wish to bring flowers or tributes in memory of Ruby, they can be placed outside the main Simms Lane gate and we will transfer them to the memory tree inside the fencing at the end of each day.

“This is obviously a very upsetting time for both learners and staff but we have been advised to keep the routine in school as normal as is possible.

“In school, Ruby was a quietly determined young lady with a wonderful sense of humour. She gave 100% in her studies and was compassionate, caring and resilient.

“The absence of her will leave a huge gap in our school community and she will be sadly missed by us all. Our thoughts are with Ruby’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Although there has been no arrest over Ruby’s death residents who live near the scene have told how it is a dangerous stretch.

One resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “This road has always been a bit dangerous as I’ve heard cars thundering up and down it for years.”

A Go Fund Me page has been set up and can be viewed at https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-costs-and-memorials. As of Thursday it had raised more than £1,800.