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Seb Cheer/BBC
The girl's death has been described as an "unimaginable tragedy"
The death of a teenage girl in a minibus crash close to a school has been described as "truly devastating" by a councillor.
The girl was among nine passengers aged 16 to 18 travelling in the vehicle when a Hyundai i10 and it collided on Toulston Lane, near Tadcaster Grammar School, just before 12:30 GMT on Monday, police said.
Kirsty Poskitt, who represents Tadcaster on North Yorkshire Council, described the girl's death as an "unimaginable tragedy".
The minibus, which appeared to have ended up on its side, was removed overnight with the road still closed as investigations continued. A 40-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the investigation, police said.
The minibus, a white Mercedes Sprinter, was heading towards Sherburn when the light-coloured Hyundai i10 entered Toulston Lane from the Rudgate junction, according to a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police.
The girl died at the scene, they confirmed.
Another teenage girl was taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries not believed to be life-threatening, while the other passengers and the man driving the minibus received treatment at hospital for minor injuries.
A 40-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the crash
Poskitt said it was "an incredibly sad day for our town".
"I want to join others in sending my heartfelt condolences to the young people involved in today's tragic accident and to the family of the young girl who died, you are in my thoughts," she added.
"The loss of any life is a sad time but a life ending so early is truly devastating."
Reverend Ann Fox, from Tadcaster Methodist Church, said the place of worship would be open for prayer from 10:00 until 11:30 following the news.
"It's really awful and we offer our prayers to the families and the friends of the girl, and also the school.
"For the emergency services, they do amazing work and we give our thanks to them because it must be harrowing for them."
Posting on social media, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, MP for Wetherby & Easingwold, called the news "desperately sad".
The police spokesperson appealed for witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage, to get in touch.
In a message sent to parents, Tadcaster Grammar School said it would be shut on Tuesday as the site "will not be safe for students".
