A MOTHER has paid tribute to her “loving and caring” daughter who was killed in a car crash which also claimed a second young life.

A MOTHER has paid tribute to her “loving and caring” daughter who was killed in a car crash which also claimed a second young life.

Kirsten Duffus, 19, died in hospital on Thursday after the car she was travelling in overturned in icy conditions on the B1077 at Ashbocking the previous day.

The crash also claimed the life of 24-year-old Henry Wingate, older brother of Kirsten's 19-year-old boyfriend Max, whose family live in Laxfield.

They were travelling in the car to the funeral of the brothers' grandfather.

Kirsten lived in Burgate, with her mum Pauline Morgan, stepfather Peter Morgan and 20-year-old brother Ewan.

Mrs Morgan, 49, who works for Suffolk County Council, said: “It was a privilege to be Kirsten's mum. She was a joy and delight to be around. She was loving and caring and everything that we could wish for. She told me that I had it easy bringing her up as a teenager and I think that she was right.

“She had hundreds of friends, an amazing network of friends. She touched everybody that she met. It is the worst thing that could happen to a mother and our world will be empty without her.”

Kirsten, who was a keen photographer, attended Eye's Hartismere High School before leaving to study A-Levels at City College in Norwich. She was on her gap year and planned to go to India in May to work with street children. Following that she planned to go to university and work on early childhood studies.

Max Wingate and Kirsten had been a couple since August 2006.

Mrs Morgan said: “Max is devastated. He has lost his brother, his granddad and Kirsten. Everyone has been shattered by this but Max is traumatised by everything.”

Many of Kirsten's friends have left tributes on her MySpace website page. One friend called Netty said: “You fluttered in to so many people's lives leaving a glittering trail of smiles behind you. Will love and miss you forever.”

Kirsten's funeral will take place on Friday January 4. A candlelit service of thanksgiving at Burgate Church will take place at 3.30pm.