EMOTIONAL tributes have been paid to a 19-year-old woman who died after a car ploughed into pedestrians in Trafford Park.

Sophie Louise Smith, from Radcliffe, died after a car reportedly ploughed into pedestrians during a car meet at Europa Way on Thursday evening.

Miss Smith, who worked at the drive-thru Costa Coffee in Lower Bridgeman Street, was taken to hospital along with six others but she died on Friday.

Paying tribute to her, a spokesman for the family said: “Sophie was an amazing daughter, sister and girlfriend and our hearts are broken.

“We will always love her and never forget the time we spent together. Sophie was our little angel and loved by everyone who knew her.

“A big empty space has been left in our souls and life will never be the same without her. We will always be thinking about her and she will be in our hearts forever.”

Miss Smith's boyfriend Jordan Chidgey, who was injured in the collision and is also thought to live Radcliffe, said: “To my beautiful girlfriend Sophie. Our time together may have been short but I was the luckiest person in the world to experience the love we shared, the laughs we had and plans for the future that have been lost forever.

“You are my world, my love, my princess and always will be. Sleep tight princess, you’re my angel.”

Her devastated friends and colleagues have now launched a fundraising campaign through Just Giving to help Miss Smith's family.

Her friend Chelsea Kirkman wrote on the Just Giving page: "As her work family we see her most days out of the week so raising money for her seems like the right thing to do.

"The Costa team would like to help with any expenses on giving Sophie the best send off possible and also to help pay off her car.

"We are absolutely devastated by this loss and any donation would be an amazing gift."

Following the incident, a shrine with floral tributes and candles spelling Miss Smith's initials has been placed at the site of the collision on Europa Way, Trafford.

Friends have also taken to social media to leave heartfelt tributes.

Jess Phillips wrote: "Rest in piece you beautiful girl! You was such an amazing person and I could’ve talk to you about anything.

"Sophie Louise Smith you’ll be missed dearly! Gone way too soon babe! Sleep tight."

Ella Jayne Haslam added: "So sad to hear about this, rip sophie never thank you enough for being my first childhood friend ... such a lovely girl. Not going to be the same without you."

And Amy Walsh tweeted: "Rest in peace soph, my heart aches".

Donations to the family can be made at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sophie-louise-smith

Scott Watkins, aged 24, of Worsley Road North, Little Hulton, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while uninsured or unlicensed, four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a collision and failing to report a collision.

He will appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Monday.