There was laughter.

The 18-year-old’s lasting legacy was infectious, her friends in number and spirit testament to her personality.

And there were tears, so many tears.

It was raw, unadulterated emotion that would turn the hardest heart.

Max Duncan’s utter despair was every parent’s nightmare.

No one can truly be prepared to lose a loved one, a child.

And yet each year stories such as this return to haunt the survivors.

Last year 22 people lost their lives on the Border’s roads.

Countless others were left crippled — physically and emotionally.

Just two months into this year and a further seven lives have been taken.

Car accidents happen but there are things we can do, must do to Turn Back the Toll.

We cannot leave it to the police alone.

As a community we owe it to those who have died, their parents, family and friends to continue to explore ways we can stop the carnage.

One life lost, is one too many.

Yasmin Duncan’s friends and family reminded us of that yesterday.