Tributes have been paid to a young woman killed outside Kingston University last night, who has been named locally as Hina Shamim.

This Is Local London:

The scene of the crash last night. Pic: Jon Sharman

Miss Shamim, 21, known to friends as Hyena, who was just weeks short of her 21st birthday, was killed crossing Penrhyn Road to hand in her final piece of university coursework, friends said this morning.

A cousin, Adeela Tahir, 25, said: "I can't really believe it, to be honest. I'm in total shock.

"She was a lovely girl, really kind."

Miss Shamim's immediate family are "devastated" by her death, she added.

A second extended family member, Tybba Aziz, said: " Hina was an amazing person. She always saw the best in everyone.

"I will never believe she has gone. She loved Kingston - she felt it was her home.

"She was a health fanatic; refused to eat anything remotely unhealthy, and put everyone around her on a diet too.

"She is loved by so many and will be dearly missed.

"Hina was excited about graduating from university [as] it was her last year.

"We had planned to go to Morocco to celebrate [the] end of [the] year and also her birthday in May.

"I would like to thank everyone who came to show their respect to our family at Hina's flat today - we are so grateful."

Darrell Stewart, a colleague of Miss Shamim's at Uniqlo in Kingston, said: "She was very bubbly, very enthusiastic about her sports science. We would sometimes go to the gym together."

Miss Shamim, a sports science and nutrition student originally from Peterborough, was pronounced dead at the scene of a horrific car crash involving a BMW M3 and a bus that took place at about 9pm last night.

A tribute poster read: “This dawn she’s vanished, but shining in everyone that knew her, like the sun.”

Friend Monty Sajdewa, 24, said: "She was always at the gym, we used to go together. 

"I really can't believe it. I was calling her last night. When she wasn't answering I thought she'd fallen asleep or something. 

"When someone told me I thought it might be an April fools. I just can't believe it was her, one of our friends." 

This Is Local London:

Tributes: Flowers and messages were left opposite Kingston University

A Kingston University spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts go out to everyone involved in this tragic incident, and their family and friends, at this difficult time." 

  • Did you know Hina Shamim? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6313 or email rachael.burford@london.newsquest.co.uk 
  • A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.