Friends of Sophie Louise Smith have paid tribute to her and are lighting candles in her memory at the scene of the tragic incident
HEARTBROKEN pals have paid tribute to a 20-year-old woman who died when an alleged hit-and-run BMW driver ploughed into a crowd of people in Greater Manchester.
Sophie Louise Smith died when the driver apparently lost control while attempting to "drift" in an area known as "The Magic Roundabout" in Trafford Park and "flung people everywhere", according to witnesses.
On Facebook pal Ella Jayne Haslam wrote: "So sad to hear about this, RIP Sophie never thanked you enough for being my first childhood friend... such a lovely girl.
"Not going to be the same without you."
Jade Jones added: "I can’t believe the news, so heart breaking such a lovely beautiful young woman taken far too young, heaven has gained a beautiful angel RIP Sophie."
Police were called to the area, which is understood to be popular with boy racers, at around 9.50pm on Thursday.
Seven people were injured in the incident, including Sophie who later died.
Police have made two arrests, but officers are still appealing for anyone with information, dash cam or mobile phone footage to come forward.
Cops launched a major search, involving a police helicopter, for the driver after they failed to stop at the scene. The BMW was later found.
Officers initially appealed for the public's help in finding the blue BMW 330D – believed to be involved in the collision – before it was later located in the Salford area.
Bystanders claim the driver was attempting to "drift" around a roundabout and was coming out of a corner when they hit a kerb.
Eyewitnesses told the BBC the vehicle then "jumped into the air" and smashed into a crowd of people standing around 10ft away.
A man, who did not want to be named, told the Manchester Evening News: "It happened at about 9.50pm, give or take a couple of minutes.
"A car hit five or six people.
"People were flung everywhere. I saw a man in a bush afterwards and a lady with head injuries."
Ryan Currie, 23, of Didsbury, said he saw three people and a dog get "launched into the air".
He said: "The car then drove through them and carried on without stopping.
"At this point I heard the dog yelping and running round, loads of people ran over to attend to the injured.
"A huge crowd gathered round, ringing ambulances and police."
GMP’s Chief Superintendent Jo Rogerson, said: "This is an extremely serious incident that we are dealing with and I cannot stress the importance of people contacting us if they know something.
"Any information, no matter how insignificant people think it may be, could be the piece that we need so please, call us."
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 2409 of 31/05/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
