A 20-year-old woman from Ely who died following a collision on the A14 last week has been described as a “caring and bubbly person” by friends.

A 20-year-old woman from Ely who died following a collision on the A14 last week has been described as a “caring and bubbly person” by friends.

Keziah Smit, was on her way to lead a church youth group in Bury St Edmunds last Wednesday when he Renalut Clio collided with an articulated lorry parked in a lay-by on the busy A14 at about 6.30pm. The 20-year-old suffered serious injuries and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

Known as Kez among her friends, the youth-worker was engaged to another member of the congregation at the Christ Church in Bury St Edmunds, Alex Theobold, 27, who was told the tragic news while carrying out missionary work in Laos, south east Asia. It is understood that he is making his way back to the UK to be with friends and family.

Reverend Jonathan Ford, who leads the congregation at Christ Church, told the Ely Standard Keziah’s death was a huge blow to the church.

“Keziah had been involved with the church for just over a year but she made such a positive impact in that short time. She was wise beyond her years, caring and very bubbly and was one of those people who you only come across once in a very long time.

“I have been in contact with Alex and her parents and we held a special service for Keziah on Thursday where we paid tribute to her. We take comfort in our belief that she has gone to a better place.”

After getting married to Alex in the Autumn, Keziah, who arrived in Ely from Zimbabwe in 2005, had planned to become more involved in the church before heading away to do some missionary work overseas.

Reverend Patrick Brandon from the Olive Tree Fellowship in Silver Street, where Keziah carried out a lot of youth work, said: “She was a totally committed Christian, fulfilling her God-given potential in every area of her life. Wherever Keziah went she made an impact. She was truly larger than life - or rather, she was so full of the life of Christ that she could not contain it, but exuded that life in whatever she did.

“Around the UK, and in other countries too, the hundreds of people whose lives have been touched by Keziah, are devastated. Truly Keziah will be greatly missed.”

The funeral will be at 2 pm.on Monday June 21 at Christ Church Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds. The family has asked that anyone who may have wished to send flowers might instead send donations to Newmarket and District Youth for Christ, at their office, 9 Mill Lane, Fordham, Ely, Cambs, CB7 5NH.