A FAMILY has paid tribute to a "thoughtful, loving, generous, smart, hardworking and fiercely determined" woman who died in hospital after a multi-vehicle crash in North Dorset.

Ella Cooper, who was due to get married later this year, was driving a red Volkswagen UP BlueMotion that was involved in a collision with a black Audi and a green Isuzu Pick-up on the B30381 just south of Sixpenny Handley roundabout on Saturday, February 1.

The 37-year-old, who lived in Ringwood, was taken to Southampton General Hospital with life-threatening injuries but died on the morning of Friday, February 7.

Her family said in a statement: “Ella was the kind of person you could not forget. She had the amazing ability to make so many feel special. Every day she lived life in full and made sure her many adventures were experienced with someone she loved.

“Ella was thoughtful, loving, generous, smart, hardworking and fiercely determined in all that she did.

“This year was set to be her best year yet as she looked forward to her wedding.

“So much of her life was still left to be fulfilled.

“We will miss her contagious energy, happiness and enthusiasm for life.

“She will be missed by all she met, her effect on others was profound.

“We love you Ella and the world is a little bit dimmer without you to brighten it.”

An inquest into her death opened this afternoon at Bournemouth Town Hall.

Coroner's officer Phillipa Morgan told the hearing that Ms Cooper, who was head of VitalityCare, had been taken to hospital but her injuries were deemed to be non-survivable.

A post-mortem examination provided a provisional cause of death as multiple head injuries due to a road traffic collision.

Assistant coroner for Dorset Richard Middleton adjourned the inquest until September 2.