Girl who 'lit up every room' killed after getting off bus

The father of a six-year-old girl says his "life is ruined" after his daughter was hit and killed by a truck.

Millie Gribble had just stepped off a bus when she was hit by the truck which had mounted a grass verge on the A6 Garstang Road in Bilsborrow, Lancashire, in August 2023.

Stephen Worden, 61, of Cartmell Lane, Nateby, was jailed for 12 months on Tuesday after admitting causing her death by careless driving at Preston Crown Court.

"Millie was my heartbeat, my world, my reason to improve my life in every way. The pain and the heartbreak of losing Millie cannot be put into words, but I will do my best," Millie's father, Joseph Gribble, added.

Her mother, Sam Edmundson, said: "Millie Joy Gribble the most beautiful six-year-old girl you could ever wish to meet, a little girl with a head full of thick, long, dark brown hair, gorgeous big blue eyes with a twinkle in them, and a big cheeky smile that would melt your heart.

"Millie was someone who could light up a room simply by just walking in it."

Worden was driving a white Iveco Daily truck when it crashed into the double-decker bus before swerving and hitting Millie and two teenagers.

Millie was taken to hospital with a catastrophic head injury but died six days later.

The two other children – a boy now aged 16 and a girl now aged 15 – were left with serious, but not life-changing injuries.

Continuing his tribute, Mr Gribble said: "Millie was so close to all our family and the apple of my eye.

"Millie was my world, and we did everything together, from playing football, swimming, new adventures and movie nights when she was with me.

"Millie could do no wrong in my eyes, with her mischievous and yet loving nature.

"I am so proud to call Millie my daughter and always will be. Millie was adored by everyone who met her."

He added: "The hours, the days, the weeks have passed now, and the pain is always there, there is no getting away from it.

"I can't wait to see her again and I know that I'm wishing my life away, but all I want is to be with my beautiful Millie, the most important part of my world."

Ms Edmundson said: "Everyone knew Millie and everyone loved Millie.

"It truly breaks my heart and my heart aches knowing none of her dreams for the future are ever going to happen now.

"Millie loved all her family so much and this is something she would say almost every day and we, as a family, love her infinitely.

"My beautiful little girl Millie wasn't just my daughter, she was my best friend, my everything."

She added: "I miss her bright, cheerful, innocent energy, the sound of her voice, her giggle, the feel of her hand in mine. I miss our cuddles.

"I just miss everything about her. I just want my beautiful little girl back."

The family said in a tribute shortly after her death Millie was a "priceless gift" who wanted to be a police officer and have a family when she grew up.

Worden also pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving, and was disqualified from driving for two years.

Sgt Martin Wilcock said: "Millie's death has had and continues to have a profound impact on her family.

"It is clear... if you knew Millie, you loved her and she is someone who is incredibly missed.

"While it is not for me to comment on a sentencing, I hope Millie's tragic death will focus people's minds on the dangers of careless driving."

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