FRIENDS and family of A14 crash victim Sarah Gaecke today paid tribute to the tragic Ipswich teenager, who was killed in a car crash days after her 15th birthday.

FRIENDS and family of A14 crash victim Sarah Gaecke today paid tribute to the tragic Ipswich teenager, who was killed in a car crash days after her 15th birthday.

Sarah Gaecke died when the car she was a passenger in was involved in a collision with another vehicle close to the Orwell Crossing truck stop on Friday.

Those close to her have since flooded The Evening Star's website with tributes to the music-loving teen.

Her uncle Jason Gibbs, of Hadleigh, wrote: “To my darling niece, you brought happiness and laughter into our lives. Now you have joined the angels in the sky. I know you will bring happiness and laughter there as well.”

And grandparents Barry and Lynne Gibbs, of Ipswich, wrote: “Darling Sarah you are our beautiful, noisy, loveable, caring, loyal granddaughter who we love dearly. Sleep well darling, your heartbroken nana and granddad.”

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, a Holywells High pupil, had been living with her mother in Nacton Road since moving back from the US about a year ago.

She had lived in California and Arizona, where her father Chris and brother Aaron, 13, live, but moved back to Ipswich to be with her mother Vici and five-year-old brother Jacob and sister Isabelle, 14 months.

Mr Gaecke today said: “I can only hope that anyone who witnessed anything to do with the accident or the events leading up to it will step forward at our time of need and suffering.”

As Mr Gaecke, an American serviceman once based at RAF Lakenheath, dealt with his grief over the crash, he recalled how Sarah had organised a collection for the victims of Hurricane Katrina two years ago, while she was a student in Arizona.

He said: “Sarah and her teacher organized the gathering of over 200 toys and had them shipped from Arizona to the grief stricken area. That is the kind of young lady a father is very proud of and this memory will go on with me forever.”

A 19-year-old man from the Ipswich area was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash in which Sarah was killed, and is due to answer bail in the New Year.

Anyone who saw the crash or has information which could help with the inquiry is asked to contact Pc Steve Griggs at the Suffolk police road policing unit on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Pay your tributes to Sarah by visiting www.eveningstar.co.uk/sarah.