THE parents of a teenage girl from Radcliffe who died in an horrific road accident told today how she had only recently met the two friends who were killed with her.

Linzi Gunning, aged 17, suffered fatal injuries when a Vauxhall Cavalier in which she was travelling was in collision with a Vauxhall Astra in Pilsworth Road, Heywood, on Saturday night.

The driver, Graham Lowe aged 25, from Middleton, and a second passenger, 16-year-old Philip Kelly, of Heywood, died instantly. Linzi, of Bolton Road, Radcliffe, died at Bury General Hospital.

Her family, including her mum Denise, and three older brothers, James, Christopher and Nicholas, were this week coming to terms with the tragedy.

According to Denise, Linzi had known Graham and Philip for less than a week. They were friends of her brother Christopher, who lives in Heywood.

She said: "None of us know why or how it happened. I have lost a beautiful daughter."

The former Wesley Methodist Primary and Radcliffe High School pupil had recently qualified as a nail technician.

Her eldest brother, James, of Fenton Street, Bury, said: "Linzi was a bright, bubbly girl who had everything to live for."

The driver and passenger in the Astra, Mr Denis McKay, aged 55 and his son Adam, aged 25, both from Heywood, suffered broken ribs and a broken wrist respectively.

An inquest will open later this week into the three deaths.

Mrs Gunning added: "Linzi wanted to work hard to be the best. What she was doing or where she was going in the car on Saturday night is something we may never find out."

Anyone who witnessed the accident, or who can help police with their inquiries can contact Rochdale traffic police on 0161 856 8473.