Family tribute to Victoria Woodbridge killed by car in Swanley (From News Shopper)

Family tribute to Victoria Woodbridge killed by car in Swanley

11:16am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By Sam Christie

THE family of a young pedestrian killed yards from her Swanley home have paid tribute to their "happy, smiling" girl.

Victoria Woodbridge was on her way back from seeing her boyfriend when she was hit by a car in London Road on Wednesday. (Jan 30)

Police and ambulance staff were called to the junction with Brook Road at around 6pm - close to her home in Laburnum Avenue.

The 20-year-old former Hextable School pupil was taken by ambulance to King's College Hospital with serious head and pelvic injuries and died on Thursday afternoon. (Jan 31)

Her grieving uncle Robert Woodbridge told News Shopper: "She was always had a smile on her face, always smiling and happy.

"I never saw her angry, she was always very happy person.

"She was very much into her football, a big Arsenal supporter.

"We are a very close family."

The brown Volkswagen Touran which knocked down Miss Woodbridge was travelling in the direction of Sidcup.

Mr Woodbridge, 53, said: "She had been at her boyfriend’s and I understand had been on her way home to get a warm jumper and coat as she was going out for the evening.

"We don’t know if she was crossing the road or on the traffic island."

Tributes have been laid at the scene of the crash to Vicki, as she was known to her friends and family, who leaves behind brother Jason, sister Claire, parents Julie and Jeffrey and two nephews.

One read: "To my number one sister. Words cannot express how you were the kindest, caring sister I could have, and a wonderful auntie.

"God bless. Love you. Claire, Robin and Ben xxxx"

Speed limit campaign

THE uncle of Victoria Woodbridge believes she may have survived the crash if the speed limit had been lowered.

Robert Woodbridge says he has been calling for Kent County Council to reduce the limit along the stretch of London Road where his niece was knocked down and killed for the past decade.

"I’ve been a town councillor for nearly 13 years and for the last 10 years I’ve been in the council chamber trying to reduce it to 30mph, like all the other roads going into Swanley.

"Perhaps Vicky may have survived this accident as persons hit by a car doing 30 are more likely to survive than being hit by a car doing 40mph."

Now he is set to launch a campaign to put pressure on the council to slash the limit.

A Kent County Council spokesman said: "We were extremely saddened to hear of the recent fatality on the London Road, Swanley.

"We are currently awaiting notification from Kent Police of their investigation and although at the moment we have no plans to reduce the speed limit, we will fully consider any highway related findings when the investigation has concluded."

Crash investigators are appealing for witnesses to call Kent Police serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538.