The parents of a 19-year-old woman killed in late-night car crash have paid an emotional tribute to their daughter, saying she “embraced life to its fullest”.

Jade Best, of Denholme, was the youngest of the three occupants of a black Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution who were killed when it ploughed at high speed into a hairdressing salon in Thornton, Bradford.

The two others who died were driver Jonathan Adam Ruthven, 27, also of Denholme, and front seat passenger Daniel Hague, 32, a serving soldier, of Thornton.

In their first public statement since the tragedy last Monday night, Jade’s parents confirmed their daughter had recently been given the all clear after she had undergone treatment for cancer.

They said: “Jade was a happy-go-lucky person and had a lovely outgoing personality that meant she embraced life to its fullest.

“She had recently been given the all-clear following a cancer diagnosis and had so much life left to live.

“We are devastated by her death and that she has been taken from us in such tragic circumstances.”

The day after the crash, Surinder Singh Atwal, who runs a newsagent’s in Thornton, described Jade as a “little fighter” who had been “so brave” in battling cancer.

Earlier this week, the Telegraph & Argus reported that LCpl Hague had been granted compassionate leave from the Army to visit his desperately-ill mother, Sally, 49, in hospital.

His sister Emma, 25, said her brother had originally been due to return to his unit, Force Support Squadron, 2 Medical Regiment in Lancashire, the day before he was killed but had been able to extend his leave due to his mother’s condition.

She described her brother, a father-of-one, as having an outgoing personality and someone who loved life.

“He was a typical man with a big passion for the Army, girls and cars. He was a ladies’ man, but everybody loved him,” she said.

The tragedy happened at about 11pm at the junction of Thornton Road and Kipping Lane. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the crash or anyone who saw the car being driven shortly beforehand to contact them on 101.

  • Bradford Assistant Coroner Dominic Bell is due to open an inquest into the three deaths on Monday to allow funeral arrangements to take place. The hearing will be adjourned pending further police inquiries.