A WOMAN and two children who were tragically killed in a crash were Ukrainians living in the UK, police have said. 

The crash happened on A61 near Ripon on Sunday, September 3, and they have been named as 35-year-old Daria Bartienieva, her son, Ihor Bartienieva, six, and Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, aged 15.

All three were from Ukraine and living in Ripon at the time of the collision, North Yorkshire Police said.

A spokesperson added: "Our thoughts are with their family members in the UK and Ukraine at this time."

Holy Trinity Church in Ripon has urged people to pray for the remaining daughter of the family, who didn't travel with her family on Sunday, and their family abroad.

A quiet space has been opened for people to pay their respects.

Reverend Michell Lepine, of the church, expressed her shock at the incident and offered her condolences to the family. 

She said: "We have seen an outpouring of emotions since the tragic incident, and wanted to offer a quiet space where people could reflect. 

"We know that the family involved were known to numerous people in the community, and we have a memory book open to the public.

"Our thoughts here at Holy Trinity are with the young girl who lost family members and all of those affected."

The church opened a quiet space for people to pay their respects. 

A fundraising page for the surviving daughter of the family has been set up and has already raised more than £6,700 - surpassing the £3,000 GoFundMe target. 

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following the crash. 

It involved a silver Vauxhall Meriva, a blue Toyota Aygo and a double-decker bus.

The Vauxhall and Toyota were travelling south towards Ripley and the bus was travelling in the opposite direction.

Daria, Ihor and Anastasiia died following the collision. 

The driver of the bus was taken to hospital with leg injuries, some of the bus passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital, and the two people in the Toyota were not injured.

Officers are appealing to anyone who saw any of the vehicles prior to the collision or witnessed the collision to get in touch if they have not already spoken to officers.

They are also appealing to anyone who may have dashcam footage of the vehicles travelling along the A61 prior to the collision or of the collision itself, to get in touch.

If you can help the investigation, please email Julie.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident 12230166439

The road was closed to allow all emergency services to attend to the collision and for investigators to examine the scene. It reopened at around 11.30pm.