The family of 14-year-old Kiri-Jade Hodgkinson, who tragically died in yesterday’s fatal collision on The Downs, have this evening (Friday) paid tribute to the ‘beautiful, smart, funny and amazing’ girl.
Kiri-Jade’s mother, Carly, has said in a statement through Hampshire Constabulary:
“As you know, at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon my beautiful, smart, funny and amazing little girl was tragically taken from me. Thank you for all of your kind words. There is now a void in my heart that can never be filled. Kiri-Jade you were my first born baby girl, my wingman and my very best friend. I love you so much sweetheart my heart is aching for you and always will, sweet dreams my precious angel xxx mummy.”
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A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary has added in the extended statement:
“Kiri-Jade is a loving 14-year-old girl with a zest for life. She is adored by her loving mother Carly and her 8-year-old sister Megan. Kiri-Jade is part of an extended family who all miss her dreadfully.
“Kiri-Jade was a student at Sandown Bay Academy and is a popular student, like all teenagers she enjoyed a healthy social life and had a mountain of friends.”
Kiri, of Queen’s Road, Sandown died at the scene of a two-vehicle collision on Downend Road shortly before 15:30 yesterday afternoon when the Red Renault Clio she was travelling in as a passenger, driven by Jack Powell, collided with a Silver Renault Megane.
Jack Powell, 18, remains in a coma in Southampton General Hospital. A 13-year-old girl, who was in the rear of the Clio, was also airlifted to Southampton General Hospital where she is said to be in a stable condition.
The collision has also claimed the life of 67-year-old Barbara Ford, who was travelling in the passenger seat of the Megane.
Sgt Heard of the Road Death Investigation Unit in Eastleigh is appealing for witnesses to come forward, specifically the driver of a white van:
“We are trying to trace the driver of a white van that would have been heading east and therefore approaching Knighton Shute.
“From our enquiries so far, we understand the van was travelling in a line of four vehicles that included the Renault Megane involved in the collision. We don’t have any other details about the van currently, but we believe it would have been travelling in front of the Megane and behind an Island roads lorry.
“We’ve already been able to speak to the other drivers as witnesses and we would therefore also like to speak to the van driver as a potential witness. Hopefully that person will recognise themselves from this description and contact us as soon as possible.”
Read the full story, as reported by Island Echo, at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/news/14-year-old-girl-dies-fatal-downs-collision/.
Anyone with information can contact the Road Death Investigation team at Eastleigh on 101 quoting Operation Mohite.
Image via Hampshire Constabulary
