TRANSPORT chiefs will launch a full investigation into safety on a stretch of road where two teenagers were killed in a horror crash, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Council bosses will be tasked with looking for any “risk” factors and examining whether more could be done to make the route safer in a bid to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

The probe could result in safety improvements on Gosport Lane in Lyndhurst where friends Lily Butterfield-Godwin and Abbey Rogers died after the car they were travelling in went out of control and ploughed into a wall.

As reported, the crash happened just half a mile from the pub where the girls had been enjoying a night out.

Just a short time before it happened, the two girls had sent a picture they took of themselves on their mobile phones - thought to be their last photo together - to friends as they enjoyed their night out.

Today mystery still surrounds how the car lost control as councillors called for a full and thorough probe into the circumstances.

Hampshire police's road death team has launched an investigation but that will now be followed by a safety probe by Hampshire County Council's road safety engineering team, which will involve councillors and representatives of New Forest District Council.

Last night the 21-year-old male driver and another 19-year-old female passenger in the car remained in hospital where they are recovering from injuries they suffered, which are not thought to be life threatening. They were said to be “progressing well” at Southampton General Hospital.

County councillor David Harrison, who has campaigned on the issue of road safety in the New Forest, said: “They look at it from a point of view of if there's anything on the road that lends itself to unnecessary risk, and if there's anything that could have been done to address that issue.

“They're asking if there are factors which need to be addressed, and it's not unusual for some safety improvements to follow.

“It could be that they conclude more warning signage is necessary or a reduction in the speed limit.”

He added that other modifications that are available include rumble strips, improved lighting, or barriers being erected.

As previously reported, the three teenagers had been picked up from the Stag Hotel, in Lyndhurst, by the 21-year-old, who was giving them a lift, in a Mazda RX8.

Both Lily and Abbey, who were from Lyndhurst, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Keith Mans, county councillor for Lyndhurst, added: “I hope the police will carry out a full investigation to find out how it was caused and whether there were any factors in terms of the road itself that may have contributed to the cause.

“It's a tragic case.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash, which happened at one minute after midnight on Saturday, December 13.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call 101 and quote Operation Marn.

Fun selfies proved to be final photos

THEY are the precious last photographs of two best friends just hours before their young lives were tragically cut short.

Posing together as they enjoyed a night out at Lyndhurst's Stag Hotel, Lily Butterfield-Godwin and Abbey Rogers fooled around taking the selfies and sending them to friends.

Daily Echo:

Today Crystal Cooper now treasures the final photographs of her friends, still in shock at the realisation that moments after they were taken, the teenagers were killed.

Crystal, 19, who also shares the same birthday as both Lily and hairdresser Abbey, told the Daily Echo: “When Lily sent the photo I never thought it would be the last. They were having such fun. I can't believe it. You never think this type of thing will happen to people you know.

“And to think it is so close to Christmas, my heart goes out to their families.

“Only the other day Abbey posted a photograph of all the presents she had wrapped for her family and friends.

“It's dreadful and to think that they were born on the same day and died on the same day, it's so tragic. They were both in their prime.”

Daily Echo:

Crystal, who owns Totton fashion store Crystabella's, had gone to Hounsdown School with both girls, and was in the same tutor group as Lily, who worked as a nanny at Teddies Nursery in Southampton and behind the bar at the Stag Hotel during the evenings.

She and Lily had met up just a few weeks ago, in Turtle Bay, Southampton, where she said they spent the night laughing, catching up and making plans for the future.

Crystal added: “It was great to catch up and that night we were just laughing, gossiping and joking around. It's heartbreaking because we were making plans to go up to Essex after Christmas but she never even made it to Christmas.

“Everyone knew Lily, she was bubbly and she always lit up the room when she walked in. She was a free spirit. Abbey was quieter but had a really loving character.

“They were both such happy-go-lucky girls who were always smiling.

“They absolutely had a sisterly bond because they had grown-up together and stayed close even after we all left school.”

She added: “When I heard the news about two girls dying in a car crash I felt terrible and went to message Lily on Facebook to find out if she knew who they were. It was when I went onto her page that I saw some of the messages and my heart just sank. I was in total shock.

“Their deaths have had a huge impact on everyone that knew them but their names will live on because they were both such lovely characters.”

Tributes continue to flood in

TRIBUTES have continued to flood in for the two popular teenagers who had “great futures” ahead of them.

Totton College and Hounsdown School, where both Lily and Abbey were former students, are offering support to students who have been deeply affected by the incident.

Mike Gaston, principal of Totton College, said: “It's a tragedy for all of us here at Totton College. They were both popular students, not only among their fellow students, but throughout the whole college.

“It's a terrible loss of two bright young people who had great futures ahead of them.”

Lily studied travel and tourism at the college from September 2011 to June 2013 and Abbey completed her level 3 in hairdressing in June of this year, and those who taught the pair are devastated by the loss.

Julie Turvey, headteacher at Hounsdown School, added: “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of Lily Godwin and Abbey Rogers.

“Both girls were popular and well-respected by staff and students alike. Our thoughts are also with the two other young people involved in the accident on Friday night, one of whom is also a former student.”