Mother mourns daughter lost in Cumbria police chase crash

A mother has spoken out about the devastating loss of her daughter, Ellie Marsden, who died in a van crash in 2021. The crash occurred after a police pursuit involving her boyfriend, Ryan Duffy. Both Ellie, 20, and Ryan, 24, were found dead after their vehicle collided with a tree in Cumbria. Ellie's mother, Kelly Kennedy, said the pain from losing her daughter is overwhelming. She described Ellie as "the most loving, kind and caring daughter" with a bright future ahead. Kelly expressed that losing Ellie has shattered her family, and they will miss her forever. An inquest revealed that Ryan had been drinking heavily and was under the influence of drugs when he was driving. The pursuing officer's actions were found to be a significant factor in the tragic crash. Witnesses noted that Ryan appeared to drive erratically as they were followed by police. The couple, who were from Wigan, traveled to Cumbria for a night away together. They were last seen leaving a local pub before the police began their pursuit. The inquest concluded that the officer did not manage to record the van’s details during the chase, which contributed to the fatalities. Ellie's family shared fond memories of her, highlighting her character and dedication as a care assistant. They are thankful for the attention given to the case and feel vindicated by the inquest's findings.