THE parents of a five-year-old girl who died in their arms following an horrific road accident in Weymouth have paid tribute to their ‘beautiful princess’.

Lily-Mae Jeffries passed away at Southampton General Hospital on Monday after the youngster, her two sisters and grandmother were hit by two motorcycles on Weymouth Way on Sunday afternoon.

In a statement, grieving parents John and Charlene Jeffries told how they had left Lily-Mae and her sisters Kaycee-Ann, 10, and Anna-bella, six, in the ‘very loving, caring and capable hands’ of their grandparents last Friday.

The couple, from Taunton, spoke of the events that led to their daughter’s death, saying: “On Sunday, March 11, the girls and their grandmother walked down through Gold-croft Avenue to the pathway at the northern end of the street and began to cross the road on to the track leading to Radipole Lake.

“This was so they could go and feed the swans and ducks, a regular event when staying down with nan and pops.”

Whilst crossing the 50mph road, the group-of-four was involved in a collision with two motorbikes travelling towards the Swannery Bridge at around 3.30pm.

Mr and Mrs Jeffries said their thoughts were also with the motorcyclists involved, who were treated for mild injuries and shock at the scene.

They added: “From what we now know, there is no other reason than to believe this was anything but a tragic accident and our thoughts are also with the motorcyclists who were involved, as they are no doubt feeling immense grief.”

Lily-Mae and her grandmother, aged 72, were flown to Southampton, where her grandmother continues to undergo treatment.

Annabella and Kaycee-Ann were airlifted by helicopter to Dorset County Hospital but have since returned home to be reunited with their brother Anthony, aged eight.

The parents thanked passers-by and emergency services staff who were ‘on the scene within minutes’.

They added: “Our heartfelt thanks go out to all those involved in the treatment and support given to our children and their grandmother.

“We would especially like to thank any passers-by who assisted during the accident, the air ambulance crews for their swift response, all other emergency service members who attended the scene and Dr Kim Sykes and her wonderful team at the paediatric intensive care unit in Southampton who made Lily-Mae’s last few hours of life as peaceful and comfortable as they could be.”

An inquest into Lily-Mae’s death was opened and ad-journed at a coroner’s court in Dorchester yesterday.

Of their daughter’s passing, Mr and Mrs Jeffries said: “Lily-Mae fell peacefully asleep a little before 6am on Monday in her mummy’s and daddy’s arms. Lily-Mae’s passing has left an unfillable void in all of our lives.

“She was the apple of our eye and made us smile 100 times a day with her appetite for life and her infectious zest and spirit.

“She made an impression on everybody she met and had nothing but love, smiles, hugs and kisses to give to all she knew and loved.

“We ask as a family for time and space to grieve during this difficult period.

“Sleep tight beautiful princess.”