"TELL me how my daughter died." That was the plea today from the mother of tragic York schoolgirl Lizzie Gilmour who died in mysterious circumstances on the city's outer ring road.

Rose Gilmour, of St Stephen's Road, Acomb, said she had recently been made aware of several individuals in the community who knew the truth - but were too afraid to come forward.

She contacted The Press to give them this message: "Please have a heart and tell me the truth about Lizzie's death.

"We can't grieve properly because the truth hasn't come out yet.

"It's heartbreaking - I'm totally tormented by this 24 hours a day."

York coroner Donald Coverdale, who originally recorded an open verdict into the 15-year-old's death because of the many unanswered questions, revealed he would consider applying to get the inquest reopened if fresh evidence came to light.

He urged anyone who could help unravel the mystery to contact himself or the police immediately.

It is now nearly seven years to the day since the popular 15-year-old Lowfield School pupil, who was a singing talent with her heart set on fame, was knocked down by a car on the A1237 about a mile from her home in St Stephen's Road, Acomb.

Evidence showed that the driver Stephen Gibbons was not speeding and could not have avoided the collision - but how and why Lizzie came to be there has never been fully explained.

Despite a police investigation at the time, in which more than 40 people were spoken to, it was never discovered how she came to be at the spot where she was found dead at 8.20pm on January 15, 2000, or where she had been between then and 6.30pm, when she left home upset after falling out with her boyfriend on the telephone.

Fighting back the tears, Mrs Gilmore, who is separated from Lizzie's dad, Dave, told The Press she had been made aware of individuals in the community who knew exactly what happened that night.

"I'm a different person now because of this - I find it hard to live sometimes," she said.

"It's heart-rending to know that there are people out there who know the truth but are just trying to save their own bacon. This is not going to go away."

At the inquest, Mr Coverdale said that he could not believe the "sensible and level-headed" pupil intended to take her own life or had lain in the road to make "a grand gesture" after falling out with her boyfriend on the telephone shortly before she left her home.

He said there were "so many curious aspects" and "unanswered questions" in the case.

Mr Coverdale told The Press today he would consider applying to get the inquest reopened if he was "presented with substantial and relevant new evidence".

"If the evidence discloses a possible criminal offence, I would immediately refer it to the police and ask them to conduct an inquiry on my behalf and then I would see the result of that inquiry," he said.

"If there is any new evidence that wasn't in the possession of the police or myself at the time of the inquest, I would ask that whoever is holding it to make it available to the police or myself as soon as possible in order to assist the family in finally getting some closure in this matter."

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said: "In view of the coroner's comments at the time of the inquest and the open verdict, any fresh information on some of the mysteries and unanswered questions associated with the death of Ms Gilmour would be closely examined by officers and, if appropriate, discussed with the coroner."

Anyone who has any details of what happened that night can phone Mrs Gilmour on 01904 784124 or contact Matthew Woodcock at The Press on 01904 653051 ext 305 or email matthew.woodcock@ycp.co.uk

Aftermath of singer's tragedy

January 15, 2000
Lowfield School pupil Lizzie Gilmour, 15, is killed on the A1237 York outer ring road after being knocked down by an Audi car as she lay in the road.

It is not known how she came to be at the spot where she was found dead at 8.20pm or where she had been between then and 6.30pm, when she left home upset after falling out with her boyfriend on the telephone. Police say the car driver was not at fault.

January 18, 2000
Lizzie's parents Dave and Rose pay tribute to their "ray of sunshine" who looked destined to be a singing star.

January 26, 2000
Lizzie's emotional funeral is held at St Stephen's Church, Acomb, York. A recording of Lizzie singing Celine Dion's hit song My Heart Will Go On, from the film Titanic, triggered an uncontrollable outburst of emotion.

April 27, 2000
Lizzie's parents make an emotional appeal for information for help in solving the mystery surrounding her death.

November 1, 2000
York coroner Donald Coverdale records an open verdict into her death. He told the hearing, attended by about 20 members of Lizzie's family, that he could not believe the "sensible and level-headed" Lowfield School pupil intended to take her own life or had lain in the road to make "a grand gesture" after falling out with her boyfriend on the telephone.

January 15, 2003
Lizzie's parents renew their appeals for information.

January 10, 2007
Rose Gilmour said she had been made aware individuals in the community knew how her daughter died but refused to talk. Coroner and police urge them to come forward.