Tribute to schoolgirl crash victim

The “charming” and “bubbly” 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 yesterday.

Wiktoria Was, 13, 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.”

The crash took place in Ilderton Road, south Bermondsey, South London and Wiktoria, who was in the rear of the car, died at the scene from her injuries, Scotland Yard said.

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”.

The man charged with causing Wiktoria’s death has been remanded in custody.

Devon Newell, 32, of Meeting House Lane, Peckham, south-east London, appeared by video-link at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court charged with 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.

He was remanded in custody to appear on 15 January.