An 18-year-old woman who tragically died in hospital following a road collision in Haslingden has been identified locally as Victoria Niebylska, as an outpouring of tributes continues in her honour.
The Crash
Victoria was one of two teenage passengers in a VW Golf which careered off Helmshore Road, colliding with the side of a house and a retaining wall at approximately 11.49pm on Monday, 4 May. Emergency services rushed to the scene at the junction with Dean Road after the vehicle left the southbound carriageway.
The driver, a man in his 20s, was pronounced dead in hospital on Tuesday morning. In a further devastating turn of events, officers subsequently confirmed a second fatality, disclosing that the 18-year-old passenger passed away in hospital on Tuesday night, 5 May.
Tributes
A number of heartfelt tributes have been shared across social media from Victoria's friends, who described her as a "beautiful soul" and "full of promise, full of dreams, and with everything still ahead of her". An online fundraising page has been established in her memory, while numerous tributes have been laid by well-wishers at the site of the crash.
Brittany Horsfield wrote: "Rest in absolute paradise my girl. My heart is shattered. Forever made me laugh always there and I mean always, keep going over your crazy voice notes. Feel weird that our last message will never get opened. There wasn't another soul like you. It don't seem real. Love you forever and always Victoria."
Delta Vienna penned: "The world feels dimmer now, like someone quietly turned down the light when she left. She wasn't just my best friend—she was my anchor, the steady place I could always return to when everything else felt uncertain... Now there's this silence where her voice used to be, this emptiness where her warmth once lived... My precious girl, my heart it's broken... I hope you rest peacefully my angel I love you millions baby girl."
Georgia Gardener said: "RIP to a beautiful soul. Such a crazy girl with an amazing personality and you will be so missed as a person... Even though we bickered all the time we always made up in the end, will forever cherish the memories we made as teenagers, fly high beautiful girl."
Shimarni Williams wrote: "She was just... her. So beautiful, but not in a way she ever cared about, she was more about making people laugh... Being around her just felt easy, like you could be yourself without thinking twice. I miss her more than I can even put into words, but I know I'll carry her with me in everything I do forever and ever my girl."
Chelsea Ryan said: "Victoria Niebylska fly high beautiful I'm glad I had the pleasure of knowing you and making some amazing memories with you are feral house parties at 15. Oh you will be missed more than you will ever know love you forever and a day until we meet again angel my condolences to all family and friends that knew vic. Forever 18."
Lily Rawsthorn said: "Rest in peace beautiful girl Victoria Niebylska u didn't deserve this, don't be dancing too hard up there. Sending love to ur family. U brought light in any room you walked in such a good character, you will be missed by many."
GoFundMe Campaign
A GoFundMe page established by Zuzanna Kostuch has collected approximately £600 so far towards a £5,500 goal. It reads: "On the 5th of May 2026, the world lost a bright and beautiful soul far too soon. Victoria had only just turned 18 in July 2025, standing on the threshold of her adult life - full of promise, full of dreams, and with everything still ahead of her. Funeral arrangements are being handled separately, and this fund has been set up purely to honour her memory in a lasting way. We would love to place a memorial bench at the cemetery - a permanent, peaceful place where family and friends can sit, remember, and feel close to her."
Police Investigation
Lancashire Police confirmed that specialist family liaison officers are supporting her relatives during what they described as a "sad and distressing time". The second teenage girl remains in hospital with serious injuries. The stretch of road between Haslingden and Helmshore was shut for more than eight hours while investigative work was carried out. Enquiries into the collision are continuing, with officers still appealing for witnesses or relevant footage.
Anyone holding dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage from the area is urged to contact police by calling 101, quoting log 1623 of 4 May, or by emailing SCIU@lancashire.police.uk.
