BARRY COLLEGE has been left devastated by the tragic death of one of its popular students in an horrific car accident.

Karla McCauley, 15, was killed when the BMW she was travelling in collided with crash barriers on the southbound carriageway of the A470.

The hairdressing and beauty student was thrown from the back of the car into the path of an on-coming vehicle.

Principal Paul Halstead said the whole college was shocked and upset by the tragedy: "It was a great tragedy, and staff and fellow students of Karla's are shocked at the sad news."

The teenager was well-known at the site, where she was combining her course with her full-time studies at Fitzalan High School. She was also an aspiring model, who used her weekends to take part in photo shoots.

Karla's family have also paid tribute to the bubbly teenager who lived at Riverside, Grangetown. She is survived by her parents, Neville and Jeanette, plus seven brothers and three sisters - one of whom is her twin, Rashel.

Her uncle, Martin Clayton, described her as an outgoing and vibrant young lady who enjoyed dancing and socialising with her friends.

He said: "Both Karla and Rashel had lots of friends: they were known as the twins and were really popular."

South Wales Police are still investigating the incident, which happened at around 8.25pm on March 9, 300m away from the Taffs Well slip road.

The green BMW 5 spun out of control, throwing Karla out of a back passenger door and on to the opposite northbound carriageway.

The 23-year-old driver male driver and an 18-year-old female passenger sustained minor injuries in the incident.

Police arrested the 23-year-old driver and owner of the BMW and he has been released on bail, pending further inquiries.

Inspector Wayne Tucker said: "It seems for reasons yet to be established, the BMW lost control and collided with the near-side barrier.

"The car then rotated several times before coming to rest in the off-side lane of the southbound carriageway. Karla, who was a rear-seat passenger, was catapulted out into the outside lane of the northbound carriageway.

"A Ford Ka and a Vauxhall Corsa were also involved in the collision on the southbound carriageway. Two women from these vehicles sustained minor injuries."

He did not release details of how exactly Karla died.

He appealed to anyone who was travelling in the area at the time to contact Treforest Police on 01656 655 555.