THE TRAGIC death of Yasmin Richards in a road accident on the A46 came just a couple of years after she underwent a major operation to correct a spinal condition.

The family of the popular and caring young hairdresser from Alveston have spoken of how proud she made them by refusing to let her scoliosis get her down and her determination to do well in her career.

Ian Harding, one of the country’s leading spinal surgeons, operated on Yasmin at Frenchay Hospital after X-rays revealed the extent of the abnormal curvature in her back.

Afterwards, knowing how young girls in particular were anxious about their future after receiving a similar diagnosis, Yasmin was able to give them encouragement and show them how their condition could be greatly improved.

The former Marlwood School student, who had enjoyed ballet as a child and returned to swimming and gym sessions after her surgery, was also doing well in her profession.

The 21-year-old had worked at two salons in Bristol and recently took up a new job in Bath.

But she sadly died as she was heading for work on the morning of November 2 when her car was in a head-on collision north of the city.

Her father, Paul, said: “Yasmin was such a positive kid. She had a scar that went right down her back as a result of the surgery but she used to joke about it.

“She had a great personality and so many people loved her. Our house has been packed full of people saying such nice things about Yasmin.

“Her death is an awful loss. We adored her and we will always miss her. But she has left us with some great memories.”

Yasmin had followed her mum, Helen, in becoming a hairdresser. She also leaves a brother, Redford, 19, and a sister, Indi-May, 16.

In the UK, scoliosis affects three or four youngsters in every 1,000. The start of adolescence is often a trigger.

Yasmin’s curvature was so severe that leading spinal surgeon Ian Harding carried out a 10-hour operation on her just a couple of years ago at Frenchay Hospital, where steel rods were inserted into her back.

Her father, Paul, a technical designer, said: “Yasmin had an exceptionally severe case of scoliosis. I’m quite an optimistic guy but the X-rays taken of her spine showed just how bad it was. The spine was also pushing against her internal organs and it left me speechless.

“But the surgeons and staff at Frenchay were exceptional. Afterwards, Yasmin was three inches taller and she started swimming and going to the gym.”

Mr Richards said Yasmin, a former student at Marlwood School, had worked at Toni and Guy, near the Bristol Hippodrome, as well as at Essentials in Clifton, only recently moving to Artizan in Bath.

She had enjoyed using her skills in fashion shoots and cared for the hair of patients at St Peter’s Hospice.

Her funeral service will be held at the Memorial Woodlands, Earthcott Green, on Monday at 11am. Yasmin’s family have asked for donations to go to the charity Spinal Research.

The accident that claimed Yasmin’s life happened when the Ford Ka she was driving on the A46 towards Bath at 9.30am on Saturday, November 2, was in collision with a Range Rover. Anyone with information about it is asked to call the police on 101.