THE parents of a teenaged girl who died in a car accident on the A358 near Crowcombe on Saturday have called for people to celebrate the life of their "beautiful, caring" daughter.

Bethany Paige Adams, 17, of Orchard Close, Williton, was a passenger in a Citroen Saxo which left the road at around 3pm, collided with a tree at the bottom of Halsway Hill, rebounded and came to rest further down the road.

The car was being driven towards Williton by her boyfriend Charlie Blandford-Corp.

Police said Mr Blandford-Corp, 17, sustained minor injuries and no other vehicle was involved in the incident.

Bethany's devastated parents Helen and Mark said they had been overwhelmed by telephone calls and messages of support since the crash.

They said people had told them that her death had "ripped the heart out of Williton", the village where she had lived all her life.

"We'd like to thank everyone for their support," said Helen.

"We knew Bethany had a lot of friends but it's been overwhelming.

"We are just so pleased that so many people had a share of Bethany.

"She made everyone smile and we think that is what she was sent here to do."

Bethany loved singing and children, and particularly doted on her cousin's baby.

At her funeral service at Williton's St Peter's Church next Friday (January 20), men are being asked to wear colourful ties and women to wear flowers in their hair as a tribute to Bethany.

Helen said her daughter was known for always wearing a flower in her hair, a tradition she had started as a young child.

Dad Mark added: "We want it to be a celebration of her life.

"We want everybody to know how proud we are that she made so many people's lives happy."

Bethany lived with her parents and had an older sister, Danielle, and brother Liam Anning, who now lives in New Zealand.

She attended Danesfield Community School in Williton and the West Somerset Community College in Minehead.

She had worked at Croft House care home in Williton as a care support assistance since leaving school last July, and her family has asked for donations to be made to Croft House in lieu of flowers at her funeral.

Diane Allen, Croft House manager, said Bethany had worked in one of the home's dementia wings and always had a smile on her face, no matter what she was asked to do.

"She was an extremely smiley young lady who always found time to sit and talk to the residents and have a cup of tea with them," she said.

"We will always remember her for having a hairband with a flower in it.

"She was very much a part of the Croft House family and it's a huge loss to us all."

Community college principal Nick Swann paid tribute to Bethany and described her as a very sociable young lady who was always laughing and joking with her friends.

"She was vibrant, energetic and always keen to get involved in organising and helping with activities in her mentor group," he said.

"Last year, Bethany was captain of the girls' football team.

"She was an excellent communicator on the pitch and always very encouraging to her team mates.

"Beth will always be remembered by us, and our sincere condolences and thoughts are with her family and close friends at this very difficult time."

Bethany was a student at the community college from 2008 to 2011 and her mentor Steve Jeffs said she was always one of the first people to say "Good morning" to him every day.

Danesfield headteacher Ian Bradbury had equally fond memories of Bethany, describing her as a happy, bubbly pupil.

"We were devastated to hear of Bethany's tragic death at the weekend," he said.

"She was a vibrant and bubbly girl who is remembered with affection by those of us who knew her at Danesfield.

"She will be sadly missed."

An inquest into Bethany's death was opened and adjourned on Tuesday morning.

A post mortem confirmed she had died from "multiple, traumatic injuries".

Police are appealing for witnesses to Saturday's accident.

A spokesman said: "We are asking motorists for help following the death of a woman in a fatal single vehicle road traffic collision.

"At around 3pm on Saturday January 7, a car was travelling west along the A358 near Crowcombe when it left the road and collided with a tree.

"A 17-year-old passenger in the Citroen Saxo died as a result of injuries sustained.

"Police would now like to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time and may have witnessed this collision.

"Anyone who may have information is asked to call the collision investigation unit on 101."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary confirmed a 17-year-old from the Minehead area had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on police bail pending further inquiries.