Tragedy as mother-of-eight and grandmother Zoe Hawes is killed in horror motorway crash on way to her 40th birthday holiday
A family has shared their heartbreak after a ‘beautiful’ mother-of-eight was killed when a police chase ended in a mass collision on the outskirts of London on Sunday.
Zoe Hawes, of Canvey Island, Essex, who was also a grandmother, was traveling to go on holiday with her husband to celebrate her 40th birthday. Her husband remains in a critical conditon.
Tragically, she was killed in a collision on the M25 involving a stolen van and three cars – which also saw another man lose his life.
Officers had been chasing the Citroen van which is understood to have crashed into three cars, including that of Mrs Hawes. A file has been passed to police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate.
A man, aged in his 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Mrs Hawes distraught relatives said: ‘Zoe was the heart of our blended family. She was a role model to everyone and the centre of our family. She was a very much loved mum, stepmum, sister, aunt and lovely young nanna.
‘She was a friend to many. She was very much looking to go on holiday to celebrate her 40th with her husband.
‘Sadly a holiday and birthday she didn’t get to celebrate. We are all trying to pull together as a family and are devastated to lose Zoe in this tragic way.
‘We wouldn’t have changed her for the world and she leaves an enormous hole in our family that will never be filled. We love you and will miss you forever.’
Relatives have now set up a GoFundMe page to help finance her funeral, which has already amassed over £6,300.