FRIENDS of a Wirral teenager who tragically took her own life will release dozens of balloons today to celebrate what would have been her 17th birthday.
Rachelle Owen, a student at Hilbre High School Humanities College, died on April 17 after stepping in front of a train at the crossing on Drummond Road in Hoylake.
She was the daughter of Kay Diamond, who was murdered in February in a violent attack by partner Anthony Blye. He was jailed for life last week.
Today, Tuesday, would have been Rachelle’s 17th birthday and friends are hoping to celebrate it with the release of dozens of balloons outside her former school.
Close friend Tom Westaway Jones, from Pensby, said: “I was very close to Rachelle as we had loads of things in common and I always used to comfort her as we have both lost our mothers.
“She went to Hilbre High and I’m in Pensby but Rachelle used to come to my school – I was with her every weekend when we all used to go out.”
In April, more than 100 people took part in a “Run for Rach” from West Kirby to the end of the Wirral Way.
Friends and family take part in "Run for Rach".
The event – which saw people run, walk and cycle – raised money for a memorial to Rachelle a swell as going towards helping her family.
An inquest into Rachelle’s death heard she had left her home at around 9pm on April 17 after telling her family she was going for a walk.
Tributes left for Rachelle Owen in Hoylake.
She then walked to Drummond Road, where she was struck by the West Kirby loop train at 9.30pm.
Liverpool Coroner Andre Rebello said he was satisfied Rachelle had taken her own life.
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