This is the first picture of a young woman who died in a collision with a bus in east London as friends paid tribute describing her as a ‘beautiful person’.
Soriah Barry, 27, suffered fatal injuries when her car ploughed into a stationary bus on Lea Bridge Road, Clapton.
Her cousin, Jamilah Barry said she was a ‘deeply beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister and cousin.’
She added: ‘Soriah was fierce, loyal and wow – so full of life. She touched so many hearts, and we want to honour her with the farewell she deserves.’
Speaking about how the family are dealing with the loss she said ‘losing her so suddenly has been devastating’ and she has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for her funeral. It has so far raised nearly £5,000.
Jamilah said: ‘I’ll never really have the words. One of my favourite people in the world is no longer here with us. I’m still waiting for you Soriah.’
Paramedics, firefighters and police battled to save her after the collision while the distraught bus driver was on his knees in shock after the crash.
Footage from the scene shows the car having apparently hit the bus head on at speed.
A friend of the family who laid flowers at the crash scene told Metro: ‘She was a beautiful girl, a beautiful person. We are all heartbroken.’
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Family and friends left candles speaking out her initials as well as cards and a picture of her.
A witness told Metro: ‘There was a bang like an explosion. I looked out and the car was crumpled.
‘There was smoke and like steam coming out of the vehicles. Emergency got the young woman out of the car. She was alive and shouting like she was in shock.
‘The bus driver got out of the bus which was at the bus stop. He went on his knees he was distraught and in shock.
‘The emergency workers tried so hard to save her life. The paramedics and firefighters were taking it in turns to give chest compressions.
‘They did their best. My heart goes out to the family of the woman.’
A police statement said: Officers were called at approximately 06:50hrs on Saturday, 8 February to reports of a car in collision with a stationary bus in Lea Bridge Road, near the junction of Clapton Road, E5.
‘London Ambulance Service and HEMS paramedics also attended.
‘The driver of the car, a woman, was taken to hospital for treatment – she sadly died there a short time later.
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The woman has been named as 27-year-old Soriah Barry.
‘Her next of kin have been informed and will be supported by specially trained officers.
There were no reports of any other serious injuries. An investigation into the circumstances is under way by detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit. They would like to hear from anyone who was in the area and witnessed this incident, or any road users or pedestrians who may have captured events on film.’
Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD1388/8Feb.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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