Tributes for 13-year-old girl killed in London police chase

The “charming” and “bubbly” 13-year-old girl who died in a crash involving a vehicle that was being pursued by police will be missed by her entire school, her headteacher said today.

Wiktoria Was was travelling with her mother, father and four-year-old brother when their Volkswagen Polo and a Peugeot 308 that was being chased by a marked police car collided on Sunday evening.

Alison Garner, headteacher at Goffs School in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, where Wiktoria was a Year 9 pupil, said the teenager was a "highly valued member of our community" and added: "She will be much missed by us all."

Her parents and brother were taken to hospital, and the mother and boy were later discharged.

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

A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Wiktoria.

Ms Garner said: "I have spoken with all of Year 9 and arranged for Wiktoria's form to be talked to separately in their form group."

The headteacher said a counsellor will be available to pupils at the school and added that they will be encouraged to think about how they would like to remember Wiktoria "once the initial shock has subsided".

Ms Garner said: "Wiktoria was a highly valued member of our community - funny, charming, bubbly and with a bright future ahead of her. She will be much missed by us all."

A 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, 32, of Meeting House Lane, Peckham, south-east London, appeared by video-link at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court.

No plea was entered and he was remanded in custody to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on 15 January.

PA