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Man, 21, and woman, 27, killed in head-on crash with lorry named and pictured by police

The two young people who tragically died in a horror head-on crash with a lorry have been named and pictured as tributes poured in for them.

Oliver Louis Knott, 21, and Dr Maisie Jade Ryan, 27, died on the A65 in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, on Thursday February 18.

Mr Knott, from Ilkley, was killed when his Ford Fiesta crashed into a lorry carrying livestock which was travelling in the opposite direction.

Dr Ryan, from Leeds, also died after the lorry struck her Fiat 500 following a collision with Mr Knott’s vehicle.

The driver of the lorry remains in hospital in a serious condition, Examiner Live reports.

Pictures from the scene showed the huge truck lying on its side following the collision.

The road between Ilkley and Skipton was closed for several hours as crash teams worked at the scene.

Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to both online.

Mr Knott’s former football club, Thackley Juniors in Bradford, wrote moving words on Facebook.

It reads: “It is with great sadness that the club has learned of the tragic death of one of our former players, 21-year-old Oliver Knott.

“Oliver joined Thackley Juniors at Under-Sevens and played through to Under 18 level before leaving for university in Liverpool.

“Whilst he was a competent centre-back in his early days, Oliver’s talents as a goalkeeper quickly became apparent.

“Winning various accolades throughout his time with both Thackley storm and Lightning teams, including the Players Player and Coaches Player of the Year on numerous occasions.

“Our heartfelt sympathy go out to Oliver’s family and friends.”

While a friend said: “Sending my deepest condolences to Oliver’s family and close friends.

“Having worked with Oliver for around a year at JD Sports, I just want to say what a lovely young lad he was, so very outgoing, clearly the ‘class clown’ always had something to make us all laugh. 

“Far too young! He will be missed sorely by everyone who knew him.”

Friends of Dr Ryan have set up a Just Giving page in her memory.

They’ve already raised more than £10,000 for the Antony Nolan charity.

They stated: “We’ve set up this page for our beautiful, kind, caring and sensitive friend Maisie who was tragically killed in a road traffic accident on February 18 2021.

“Maisie spent her life caring for others and worked so hard to become the brilliant doctor she was, a job that she loved.

“Anthony Nolan was a charity close to Maisie’s heart, and one which she worked with throughout her medical training and beyond.

“She was a friend to all that knew her, and this is a loss to this world that will be felt by many.”

Another friend of Dr Ryan said: “Maisie was so kind, enthusiastic, and dedicated – a wonderful person and Dr who went the extra mile.

“Lovely to hear of this in her name. She’ll be so missed.”

West Yorkshire Police said the cause of the collision is still under investigation.

They are appealing for witnesses, dashcam or phone footage of the incident to come forward.

Anyone who is able to assist is asked to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team via 101 or use the live chat facility at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus quoting log number 284 of 18 February.

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