Family pay tribute to ‘beloved’ girl, 18, killed after car smashed into tree

Sophie Ford was killed in a car crash two weeks ago (Picture: Sussex Police)

The family of an 18-year-old woman killed in a car crash have paid tribute to their ‘beloved’ family member.

Sophie Ford was killed in a single-vehicle crash on the A21 in Kent Street two weeks ago in Hastings.

The driver of the vehicle, a 27-year-old man, remains in hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries sustained when his car let the carriageway and collided with a tree.

Sophie’s family have described her as a keen animal lover and sportswoman who ‘touched the hearts of so many people’.

They said: ‘We are devastated at the loss of Sophie our beloved daughter, sister, niece, cousin, grand-daughter and friend to so many.

‘A recent leaver from Battle Abbey School, Sophie was an avid animal lover and sportswoman who loved to sing and listen to music.

‘She was a volunteer at a local animal sanctuary and stables and had just embarked upon a Degree course in Veterinary Physiotherapy at Writtle University College, Chelmsford. Sophie had been an active member of the South Saxons hockey club in Hastings for the last five years and played for the ladies’ first team.

‘She had such a promising future ahead of her and we are devastated that her life has been brought to a premature end in this way.

Sophie’s family have described her as a keen animal lover and sportswoman (Picture: Sussex Police)

‘Sophie touched the hearts of so many people both in the region and overseas and she will be very sadly missed by us all.’

She had recently started a degree studying Veterinary Physiotherapy in Chelmsford and was also a keen hockey player and music lover.

Sussex Police is continuing to appeal for witnesses to the crash that occurred at around 11.20pm on October 27 and involved a white Seat Leon Cupra.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.