FRIENDS and family of teenage crash victim Sarah Gaecke were asked to wear something pink as the 15-year-old was due to be laid to rest todaySarah's mother, Vici Gaecke, invited all friends of the former Holywells High School pupil to the funeral.

FRIENDS and family of teenage crash victim Sarah Gaecke were asked to wear something pink as the 15-year-old was due to be laid to rest today

Sarah's mother, Vici Gaecke, invited all friends of the former Holywells High School pupil to the funeral.

A service for Sarah, who lived in Nacton Road, was due to take place at the west chapel of Ipswich crematorium at 11am.

The service was organised to feature Sarah's favourite colour, pink, and two of her favourite songs - Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On and I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly.

Earlier this month Ms Gaecke said: “Those are songs that meant something to her and mean something to me.”

The funeral was to be followed by a small family gathering.

Sarah died on December 21, three days after her 15th birthday, when the car in which she was a passenger was involved in a collision on the Ipswich-bound carriageway of the A14 near the Orwell Crossing truck stop.

She had been returning from Felixstowe with friends where they had been to put a friend's horse away for the night.

Since her death tributes for the teenager have poured in.

Danielle Gaecke, a family member from Arizona, wrote: “I know we had our moments, but I loved you more than you ever could have known. I miss you so very much.”

And friends Sam and Lauren, of Ipswich, wrote: “Sarah babe, you'll always be remembered by us, it was a good laugh you being around, it's such a heartbreak to hear you have gone. Love you loads and miss you loads. RIP babe.”

Sarah was born at RAF Lakenheath where her father, Chris, was based but lived much of her life in the US following his posting to California and later Arizona.

She lived there until about a year ago when she decided to return to Suffolk to live with her mother Vici, brother Jacob, 5, and sister Isabelle, 14 months.

Her father still lives in Arizona with Sarah's 13-year-old brother Aaron, who paid his own tribute by describing her as “the best big sister”.

Mr Gaecke, Aaron and other relatives in the US have travelled to Ipswich to attend the funeral and be with Sarah's family here.

Ms Gaecke today thanked all those who had sent message of support following Sarah's death.

A 19-year-old man, also from the Ipswich area, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the crash and was bailed until next month.

Do have a tribute to pay to Sarah? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or go to www.eveningstar.co.uk/sarah