A woman died after she was hit by a car while trying to take a picture of the castle location for I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Sharn Iona Hughes, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene following the collision on the A547, at a location known as Middle Gate on Abergele Road, near Llanddulas, on Saturday evening.
Mrs Hughes, who was married to Elfyn Hughes and had two children, Arron and Annah, wanted to see the lights and was hoping to take a picture of Gwrych Castle to send to a friend, her family have said.
A statement issued by police on behalf of her family and friends said: "Her family and friends are in total shock and perplexed by her tragic death and wish to say the following about their loss.
"Sharn was so selfless, and had such a joyous, charitable attitude to life.
"She was in the process of organising deliveries of hampers to the local food bank through the Women's Institute (WI). We’ll miss her kindness forever.
"Her curiosity led to her wanting to see the lights at Gwrych Castle which unfortunately led to her untimely tragic death along a very busy road. We are truly heartbroken.
"She was hoping to take a photo and send it to a friend. We know that several others will have done and plan to do the same.
"We urge people to take so much care and remember it is a busy main A class road."
North Wales Police said Mrs Hughes was involved in a collision with a blue Volvo estate car on the A547 Abergele Road at a location known as Middle Gate at around 5pm.
Sergeant Raymond Williams said: "We continue to appeal to anybody who may have witnessed the collision and who is yet to come forward, or to anybody who may have been travelling along the A547 just prior to the collision and who may have dashcam to contact us immediately."
A family friend said Mrs Hughes was involved in organisations including Gallt Melyd Church, Gwaenysgor Choir, Trelawnyd WI and Dyserth WI.
"Sharn was a beacon of light, her bubbly presence will not only be missed by us – her family, but also her colleagues, many friends and by the organisations to which she so generously gave her time," the friend said in a statement.
A member of the WI added: "She was very active in the community, she was very generous with her time, and just generous in total, she put other people first and was a born organiser.
"She belonged to two WIs, was treasurer of Gallt Melyd Church, helping to organise collections for food banks and recently very proudly finished the Couch to 5k."
ITV has also issued a statement on the tragic incident. A spokesperson said: "Everyone at I'm A Celebrity is deeply saddened to hear of the tragic accident near Gwrych Castle and sends their thoughts and prayers to Sharn Hughes' family and friends at this extremely difficult time."
