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A family is grieving after a devastating collision on the M25 near London claimed the life of a beloved mother-of-eight and grandmother. Zoe Hawes, 40, of Canvey Island, Essex, tragically lost her life in a collision involving a stolen van and three other vehicles on Sunday. Her husband, who was travelling with her to celebrate her 40th birthday, remains in a critical condition.
The incident unfolded during a police pursuit of a stolen Citroen van, which ultimately led to a mass collision involving several vehicles. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Heartbroken relatives of Mrs Hawes described her as the “heart of our blended family” and paid tribute to her as a cherished mother, stepmother, sister, aunt, and grandmother. They expressed their devastation over the loss of Zoe, whose life was tragically cut short while she was looking forward to celebrating her milestone birthday with her husband.
A fundraising page has been set up by the family to support Zoe’s funeral expenses, with an outpouring of support from the community, raising over £6,300.
The IOPC’s investigation into the incident is ongoing, focusing on the actions and decision-making of the officers involved in the pursuit. Police officers had initiated a pursuit of the stolen van, which was later abandoned due to safety concerns. However, the van was later observed travelling on the wrong side of the M25 before the fatal collision occurred.
Detective Inspector Mark Fraser from Essex Police urged anyone with information or dashcam footage related to the incident to come forward, emphasizing the importance of piecing together the events leading up to the collision.
The tragic loss of Zoe Hawes has deeply affected her family and the community, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. As investigations continue, authorities are appealing for witnesses and information to shed light on the sequence of events that led to the heartbreaking loss of life on the M25.
