THE family of a popular 20-year-old woman from Looe have paid tribute to the emergency services and hospital staff who tried to save her following a car crash last week.

Emma Paige Lancaster died on Friday after her life-support system was turned off at Derriford Hospital.

Emma had been taken to Derriford on Monday evening with serious injuries after her green Fiat Punto left the road and collided with a tree at Downend near Lostwithiel.

This week her parents, Karen and Duncan, said they were 'devastated' by her death which came less than three weeks after celebrating her 20th birthday.

'Our family has been left devastated by the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter Emma Paige,' they said.

'This tragedy unfolded during very poor weather conditions, whilst Emma was driving to Truro College to collect her younger sister from an evening course.

'Emma was a bright, vivacious, charismatic young lady. Socially she enjoyed a zest for life, with her natural smile and personality endearing to all.

'A keen music lover, as a family we were imminently due to enjoy a concert of her favourite rock band Muse.

'Attending Penpol Primary School in Hayle from 2000 to 2004, our work commitments resulted in a move to Looe in March 2004.

'Emma loved her years at Looe Community School, successfully achieving her GCSEs before progressing to Truro College.

'Her college years continued her success, achieving three distinction grades in music, alongside a business studies A-level.

'Just on the cusp of an exciting future, a large national insurance company had recently successfully recruited her.

'We have been deeply touched by the support and kind words offered by so many people near and far, not only to ourselves but also to her younger sister Sophie Alice and younger brother Ollie.

'Reading the countless messages and personal tributes that have been posted on Facebook, these have given a very clear picture to us of how popular Emma was and have given us all a great deal of comfort.

'Despite the valiant efforts of the intensive care team at Derriford, Emma sadly passed away peacefully on Friday. Our gratitude is endless to all emergency personnel who never gave up, and allowed the family and close friends some very precious time.'

No other vehicles were involved in the collision and Emma was alone in her car at the time.

The Serious Collision Investigation Unit has renewed an appeal for witnesses to the incident, asking anyone with information to contact them as soon as possible.