TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenager who died after a crash in Hamble.

Abbie O’Rourke, who went to The Hamble School, died in hospital after a single-vehicle collision in School Lane.

Now dozens of floral tributes have been laid beside the road where the 18-year-old died.

She was a passenger in a silver Toyota Aygo, which collided with a tree.

Abbie’s friend, Mya Chhapia, said: “Everybody loved Abbie, she was such a bright character and everybody who met her absolutely loved her.

“We have been best friends for ten years after we met in year 7 and I used to speak to her everyday; I always knew I could go to Abbie no matter what I wanted to talk about.

“Abbie did really well at school and she would have gone far in life. She loved maths because of her teacher.”

The 18-year-old from Cunningham Gardens, Bursledon, added: “Abbie just got a promotion as a child carer at Hamble Early Years Centre, where she looked after zero to three-year-olds and she was so amazing at her job.

“The children absolutely loved her and her colleagues adored her.

“The job came naturally to Abbie, as she had such a caring nature, and ever since year 8 she always wanted to look after children.”

Mya said: “I am going to miss her fun, bubbly energy and she was an incredibly positive person who never had a negative word to say about anyone.”

Best friend Georgia Smith, 19, said: “You might not be a phone call away anymore, but you will always be in my heart and I’m hurting so much.

“I promise I will make you proud and do what you would want me to do; I love you so much and fly high angel.”

Another said: “My amazing best pal Abbie, thank you for always looking out for me.

“I wish it wasn’t true, I’m going to miss you so much and my heart aches.

“I will never forget you and you are forever in my heart.”

Another added: “A great friend now an angel. Rest in peace you beautiful girl; I will remember all our great memories, especially the ones that end in us crying with laughter (and there were a lot of those). “I love you.”

A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: “The family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.”

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses following the collision which happened just before 9pm on Thursday in which two further passengers and the driver suffered injuries.

All three passengers were also taken to hospital.

Investigations into the exact circumstances of the collision are ongoing and officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the silver Aygo in the Hamble area prior to the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44190438205.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.