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Sittingbourne turns out to honour schoolgirl crash victim Georgia Mann

Around 500 people turned out to keep a candlelit vigil in memory of Georgia Mann.

The 15-year-old was hurt in an accident shortly before midnight on Wednesday when the Audi A1 car in which she was a passenger was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Caddy van.

It happened on the Sheppey-bound slip road of the A249 at Bobbing, near Sittingbourne, and she died on Friday morning.

The candle-lit vigil for Georgia
The candle-lit vigil for Georgia

The evening vigil at the Gore Field, Grove Park, on Friday was organised by three of her friends: Marshal Packer, Lewis Frattini-Bratton and Kieran Gambell.

Georgia's brother Charlie Mann said: "There were lots of Georgia's friends from school, their families, my family, and just lots of people from the community.

"The sympathy we've had from everyone has been amazing."

Georgia Mann, 15
Georgia Mann, 15

Earlier in the day, friends and well-wishers had been laying bouquets and fastening balloons at an impromptu memorial to Georgia by the side-wall of the cricket club.

A GoFundMe page set up by Georgia's sister, Sammy Louise Law, to pay for her funeral and a memorial has already reached more than £14,000 with over 900 people contributing.

To add to the total collected, click here.

RIP Georgia
RIP Georgia

Georgia a pupil at Westlands Secondary School was left in a critical condition after the crash.

She was taken to London's King's College Hospital, but died on Friday morning.

Simon Cox, head teacher of Westlands Secondary School, said an assembly with Georgia's year group will be held tomorrow morning when pupils return from half term, and ongoing support will be available for those affected by the tragedy.

An impromptu memorial for Georgia Mann at Sittingbourne Cricket Club Picture: John Westhrop (5053078)
An impromptu memorial for Georgia Mann at Sittingbourne Cricket Club Picture: John Westhrop (5053078)

He said: "Georgia was one of our most popular and enthusiastic Year 11 students, who had the personality to fill any room."

Mr Cox said: "I have spoken to her mum and passed on our heartfelt condolences.

"Over the coming days we have agreed to meet to plan a celebration of Georgia’s life.

An altar of lights
An altar of lights

"In the meantime we will be discussing this tragic event with pupils, parents and staff, and making sure that support is available for all.

"All of us in the school community and beyond are going to miss her."

Two other people were injured in the accident, the driver of the Audi and another passenger, a woman, both in their 20s. Both needed hospital treatment.

Friends console each other in their grief Picture: John Westhrop (5053080)
Friends console each other in their grief Picture: John Westhrop (5053080)

The van driver, a 42-year-old man from Murston, near Sittingbourne, was briefly arrested on suspicion of drink driving but has since been released "pending further inquiries."

Police are still wanting to speak to anyone who has information about the crash, especially if they have dash-cam footage.

Some of the tributes Picture: John Westhrop (5053085)
Some of the tributes Picture: John Westhrop (5053085)

Anyone with information should call 01622 798538, quoting HW/DC/149/18, or email to sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk

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