EMOTIONAL tributes to a 13-year-old "gorgeous princess" who died following a police chase through New Cross have poured in.

Wiktoria Was was travelling with her family when a driver being pursued by cops crashed into the back of their VW Polo on January 6 around 6.30pm.

The "talented" and "funny" teenager was in the back of the car and tragically died from her injuries at the scene near a set of traffic lights - which were bent to 45 degrees - in Ilderton Road.

She was a Year 9 pupil at Goffs School in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, where students were in tears when the news was broken at an assembly, according to Twitter reports.

Headteacher Alison Garner said: "We were all deeply shocked and distressed to hear on Monday of the death of Wiktoria in Year 9.

"Wiktoria was a wonderful member of our community.

"It was impossible to be in Wiktoria’s company without being struck by her wonderful personality and humour as well as her many talents and her loss is felt deeply throughout our school."

School friend Jayde Bose says "Wiki" was her best friend and has set up a Twitter and Facebook page in her memory.

One Twitter post reads: "I love you my gorgeous princess, you’re not a best friend to me, you’re a sister, I love you RIP."

Her Facebook tribute reads: "Wiki was my best friend.

"Her smile was beautiful but her eyes were amazing. "She made each and every day worth living."

Other notes praise her as a "star in the sky" and send their well wishes to her family.

The fateful chase - from a marked police car with lights and siren on - was launched after the driver of a Peugeot 308 triggered a police system which targets uninsured drivers and other suspected criminals.

A 32-year-old man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and driving with no insurance and no licence.

Devon Newell, of Meeting House Lane, Peckham, appeared by video-link at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court on January 8 and is due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on January 15.

Witness Richard Komon told News Shopper: "I was just shocked to be honest.

"No one could ever expect that would happen.

"It was all just a bit crazy, it’s just a shame it ended as it did."

The 46-year-old added: "The family were just going about their business and then that happened."

Wiktoria’s parents and four-year-old brother were all taken to hospital and her mother and brother were later discharged.

The father remains in hospital but his injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Children at her school are being offered counselling to cope with their grief.