'Truly terrific' Abby will be missed (From News Shopper)

'Truly terrific' Abby will be missed

3:57pm Wednesday 11th April 2007 in

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A 20-YEAR-OLD killed on Saturday night has been named as Abby Groves from St Paul's Cray.

Abby died after the Suzuki Alto she was travelling in crashed on Bromley Common, Bromley, at 11.45pm Saturday night.

There were five people in the car when it crashed.

Firefighters from Bromley fire station cut the roof from the car to reach some of the passengers.

The 20-year-old, who was the front seat passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering head injuries.

Abby worked as a travel rep in Menorca in the summer months of 2005 and 2006, says her friend Sarah Sanders, from Birmingham.

She said: "I haven't really known her that long.

"But in the time I did spend with her I got to see what a truly terrific person she is.

"Abby used to make me laugh until I had tears rolling down my face and my sides were aching.

"We shared some brilliant times and made some terrific memories that will stay with me forever.

"She was a great person and will be sorely missed."

An inquest was opened and adjourned on Wednesday.

The road was closed from 23.52pm until 3.39am after the incident.

A eyewitness, who lives close to where the crash happened, said: "The car was concertinaed in the middle of the road, it was totally crushed, people came with cameras and the road was closed for ages."

Another neighbour said: "I saw lots of people rush to the scene.

"There were flashing lights everywhere and a girl crawled out of the backseat of the car.

"It's very sad such a young girl died."

Fighters help out

Two off-duty firefighters were among the first at the scene of the crash Saturday night.

Kevin Smith and Dean Corney, who are both firefighters for Beckenham fire station, were travelling home from a night out by bus when they saw the car had crashed.

The pair made the bus driver stop so they could help.

Mr Smith says he spoke to two of the people sat in the back of the car.

The 40-year-old then got in the car to assist the driver, who was slumped over the wheel.

He says he lifted her neck up to make sure her airways were clear.

Mr Smith, from Pinewood Drive, Orpington, says Mr Corney could not find any signs of life from the front seat passenger.

The firefighter of 18 years says it felt very stange to be told to move along after the emergency services arrived.

Mr Smith said he is used to remaining at the scene until everything is finished.

He said: "We are used to helping out.

"The first aid training came in very handy."

Tributes

Floral tributes are already being left at the scene of the crash.

One left on a bunch of flowers reads: "Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, we were with you at the scene and hope you are now in a better place, Mike, Jo and Steph."

The female driver, thought to be in her late teens or early 20s, was taken to the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough (PRUH), suffering serious facial injuries.

She has since been released.

The three rear seat passengers, two females and a male, were also taken the PRUH suffering minor injuries.

Any witnesses should contact the Met's collision investigation unit at Catford on 020 8285 1574 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

• If you knew Abby and would like to leave a tribute or a message of condolence for her family, add your comments below.