A FAMILY from Durham have spoken of their ‘devastation’ after the sudden death of their school teacher daughter in a car accident while she was on holiday in Mexico.

The accident happened as Alix Bussey, 23, was coming towards the end of her ten-night break in the resort of Riviera Maya with her boyfriend, Jonathan Boyle, also 23.

Although few details of the incident have been confirmed, it appears Miss Bussey was struck by a vehicle as she and Mr Boyle made their way back to their hotel after a night out last Thursday. They had been due to fly back to the UK on Saturday.

Miss Bussey was a teacher at Bowburn Infants School, while Mr Boyle works in IT for the NHS.

Today her parents, Colin and Penny and her younger sister, 21-year-old Leigh spoke of their shock at being informed of the tragic news on Friday night.

Mrs Bussey, 50 said: “We’re absolutely devastated by what has happened and waiting to be given more information by the Foreign Office.

"Alix adored being a teacher, it was all she wanted to do from the age of seven and she was devoted to the education and welfare of the children she taught.

“She lived life to the full, loved to party and she and Jonathan were besotted with each other.

"Although they had been away on several occasions this was their first holiday abroad and they had been having a great experience.

"Only the night before she had texted Leigh to say she was having ‘the bestest time ever’.”

Mr Bussey, who is 55, said: “Alix had a wide circle of friends and the support we have had from them, and members of both families has been unbelievable. All of our thoughts are with Jonathan and his family as they are going through this with us.”

A former Durham Johnston student, Miss Bussey studied primary education at Northumbria University before securing her first teaching job, at Bowburn Infants in September 2012.

Her work with the school saw her visit India last year as part of an exchange programme. She lived with her parents and sister at the family home in Meadowfield.

Miss Bussey, along with her dad and sister was a season ticket holder at Newcastle United and all three used to watch the games at St James’ Park together.