Tributes have been paid to a teenage girl with a “heart of gold” who was among three people killed after a collision between a bus and a car near Heathrow.
Star Tomkins, 17, will be “deeply missed by many”, relatives said on a GoFundMe page set up to raise funeral costs.
Metropolitan Police officers were called to Bedfont Road, Feltham, at around 11.55pm on Monday, where officers found both vehicles on fire.
Star and two males, in their late teens, inside a Mercedes car were pronounced dead at the scene in west London. A fourth male teenager was taken to hospital.
Fundraiser Zoe Lewis, who raised over £7,000 within hours to support Star’s family, wrote online: “It is with very heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of Star Tomkins.
“She was beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and best friend. She had a heart of gold and be deeply missed by many.”
Sam Bennetts also paid condolences to Star on Facebook and named the three other victims, adding: “Three young adults whose lives were taken too soon. My heart breaks for you at this sad and difficult time. Sending love and healing your way.”
Kayleigh Louise said of Star: “one of the nicest young girls I’ve ever met. Gonna miss our chats. Rest in paradise.”
Two passengers in the bus, an H26 service bound for Hatton Cross, were also taken to hospital but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, the force said.
Other passengers were treated for injuries by paramedics at the scene.
The smash happened close to HMP Feltham on a stretch of Bedfont Road, roughly a mile long between Chertsey Road and the Clockhouse Roundabout.
A mechanic working nearby told the Standard: “I couldn’t get to work this morning at around 10am. They have completely closed the road. The police said it was a really bad accident.”
London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service also attended the incident.
LFB Assistant Commissioner Paul McCourt said: “The thoughts of everyone within the Brigade are with the families impacted by this tragic incident.
“I’d like to thank our crews and emergency service colleagues for the determination and dedication they showed when responding to this difficult situation.
“The Brigade will speak with our firefighters that attended and offer support through our counselling and trauma services where required.”
Firefighters sent crews from Feltham and Heston stations and the blaze was out by 1.41am on Tuesday.
London Ambulance Service said in a statement: “We were called at 11.55pm yesterday (March 31) to reports of a road traffic collision on Bedfont Road, Feltham.
“We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer, members of our hazardous area response team (HART) and London’s Air Ambulance.
“Our crews treated six people. Sadly, three people were declared dead at the scene. We took the other three patients to hospital.”
Claire Mann, Transport for London’s chief operating officer, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the people who were tragically killed yesterday in a collision involving a bus and a car.
“This is a devastating incident and we have support available for those affected. Safety is our top priority and we are working urgently with the police on their investigation.”
Anyone with information which could assist is asked to contact 101, quoting CAD 8411.
