THE FAMILY of a young woman from Looe who was killed in a car crash three weeks after her 20th birthday have paid tribute to her.
Emma Paige Lancaster was driving to Truro College to collect her younger sister from an evening course when her car left the road neat Lostwithiel and collided with a tree.
The accident happened at around 8.15pm on Monday, October 8 and she was taken to hospital, where her life support machine was switched off on Friday.
In a statement released through police, her family said today: "Sadly, just less than three weeks after celebrating her 20th birthday, our family has been left devastated by the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter Emma Paige.
"Emma was a bright, vivacious, charismatic young lady. Socially she enjoyed a zest for life, with her natural smile and personality endearing to all. A keen music lover, as a family we were imminently due to enjoy a concert of her favourite rock band Muse.
"Attending Penpol Primary School in Hayle from 2000 to 2004, our work commitments resulted in a move to Looe (March 2004), an ironic twist being the origins and roots of her family. Emma loved her years at Looe Community School, successfully achieving her GCSEs before progressing to Truro College. Her college years continued her success, achieving three distinction grades in music, alongside a business studies A-level. Just on the cusp of an exciting future, a large national insurance company has recently successfully recruited her.
"We have been deeply touched by the support and kind words offered by so many people near and far, not only to ourselves but also to her younger sister Sophie Alice and younger brother Ollie. Reading the countless messages and personal tributes that have been posted on Facebook, these have given a very clear picture to us of how popular Emma was and have given us all a great deal of comfort.
"Our gratitude is endless to all emergency personnel who never gave up and allowed the family and close friends some very precious time."
The road, just past Downend Garage, was closed for 18 hours after the crash, involving Emma's Fiat Punto on Monday night while police carried out their investigations.
Police have reappealed for information about the incident, asking members of the public to call 101 quoting log number 752 of 8 October 2012.
