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Tributes to Ashford M20 collision victim young mum Elle-Mae Wood, 20

The devastated family of a young woman found dead on the M20 have paid tribute to an "absolutely fantastic and devoted" mother.

Elle-Mae Wood was found on the coastbound carriageway near Junction 10a in Ashford.

Elle-Mae Wood is survived by her son Kian
Elle-Mae Wood is survived by her son Kian

The Elwick Road resident, who was planning on moving back to Dartford to be closer to her family, was just 20 years old.

She is survived by her young son Kian, and her family say she will always be remembered as a wonderful parent.

Her mum, Carly, said: "Elle was a devoted mother, and given how young she was she was absolutely fantastic.

"Her whole life was Kian, and she was busy planning his third birthday which isn't too far away.

"There are so many moments the two should be having together in the future that she has been robbed of, like when he gets married, or graduation, and so many other things."

Elle-Mae Wood, left, with her sister Paris
Elle-Mae Wood, left, with her sister Paris

As well as being a mum, Elle was also a new aunt, after her sister Paris gave birth in May.

Tragically, because of travel restrictions due to coronavirus, she never got to meet her new nephew.

Carly said: "She and Paris were always so close, it's just another level of devastation that she never got to meet her nephew.

"We will never be able to get over it."

But Carly says the family will gain some comfort if they are provided with answers from anyone who was there at the time of the incident, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, June 14.

Investigation work on the M20 on the day of the incident. Picture: UKNiP
Investigation work on the M20 on the day of the incident. Picture: UKNiP

Police revealed earlier this week how the driver who hit Ms Wood may not have even realised.

Carly added: "The pain we are going through will never go away, but it could be helped by someone coming forward and providing us with the answers.

"There wasn't much, if any, anger when it first happened, because there's a very good chance they didn't even see her given how dark it was.

Floral tributes appeared at the side of the M20 where the incident happened
Floral tributes appeared at the side of the M20 where the incident happened

"But now, the longer it goes on, the more it feels like her life doesn't matter.

"She was not just a 20-year-old who was found in the motorway, she was a mum, a daughter, a sister, a niece and a grand-daughter".

An investigation into Miss Wood's tragic death is still ongoing, and police have updated their appeal line for anyone looking to come forward.

Police closed off the M20 for hours following the incident. Picture: UKNiP
Police closed off the M20 for hours following the incident. Picture: UKNiP

In a statement released on Tuesday, Sergeant Peter Greaves asked for anyone who has dashcam footage or those who may have witnessed the incident to contact police.

"We are still investigating this collision and are trying to establish the circumstances that led up to it," he said.

"At the time of impact the driver may have been completely unaware that they had, in fact, collided with a person.

"I am asking anyone who may have been using the M20 in the early hours of Sunday, June 14 to check their vehicle for signs of a collision and to contact us if they think they may have been involved.

"It is important we are able to piece together the circumstances of how this young woman came to be fatally injured."

Anyone who called the previous line is urged to call 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk quoting reference MM/JW/51/20.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

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