By Phil Coleman Chief reporter

Last updated at 08:00, Friday, 05 June 2009

Police have arrested a teenager on suspicion of causing the death by dangerous driving of a 42-year-old mum-of-three.

Louise Stoddart

Related: Woman cyclist killed in north Cumbria crash named

Cyclist Louise Stoddart sustained fatal injuries in the accident, which happened at 7.05pm on Wednesday on Inglewood Road, close to Penrith’s Stoneybeck roundabout on the A6.

The driver of the van involved was a 17-year-old from Dumfries who suffered serious injuries.

Police arrested him yesterday afternoon after he was discharged from the Cumberland Infirmary. He was due to be questioned yesterday by officers at Carlisle’s Durranhill police station.

Mrs Stoddart, of Beacon Edge, Penrith, died at the scene which police described as a straight section of unclassified country road.

Two other women cyclists who were with her were also injured.

The women, both from Penrith, were also taken to hospital for treatment. One was detained overnight and was still undergoing treatment yesterday.

Mrs Stoddart’s family, including her husband Dik, her son and two stepdaughters, issued a tribute to her.

They said: “Louise was a fun-loving, caring and beautiful wife, mother, daughter and sister.

“She was a selflessly devoted mother who cared for everyone – even more than herself. She lived life to the full, an inspiration to all her family and many friends.

“We will never forget the happiness she gave to all who met her. We are devastated by our loss and miss her enormously. Life will never be the same again.”

Friends and colleagues of Mrs Stoddart have been stunned by her death. At Ullswater Community College, headteacher Stewart Gimber said Mrs Stoddart worked there for 11 years, most recently as a leader for a team of teaching assistants.

He said: “At the heart of her work lay a passionate commitment to young people who face a variety of barriers to learning. In that sense Louise was the heartbeat of our school community.

“She cared deeply that every student, whatever problems they faced, should be given every support, care and encouragement. She had infinite patience, a delightful cheerfulness and a wonderful sense of humour.

“Young people responded to her immediately and there will be many families in the Eden Valley who will remember her with affection and gratitude.”

“Louise made a difference to peoples’ lives. That makes this accident even more tragic but might provide some comfort to family, friends, students and colleagues who will miss her dreadfully but will be proud to have lived and worked alongside her.”

Sergeant Graeme Hodgson, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is a tragic incident and a full investigation is underway. One man has been arrested.

“We are appealing for witnesses to the incident – in particular we are interested in speaking to anyone who saw a T-registered red Ford Transit van travelling in the area in the hours and minutes leading up to the collision. It had travelled to Morrisons before the incident and had been on its way out of Penrith when the incident occurred.”

Witnesses should contact police on 0845 3300247.

First published at 05:13, Friday, 05 June 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk