POIGNANT tributes have been paid to a young Stourbridge mum who has died following a road crash in Oldswinford.

Nadine Foster was believed to have been a passenger in a Ford Focus which smashed into a wall at around 12.20am on Hagley Road last Saturday (April 16).

The 18-year-old, who had a five-month-old son, was taken to hospital but she died on Wednesday evening despite the best efforts of medics who tried to save her life.

Heartbroken family members have today (Friday) paid tribute to the teenager – saying in a statement: “We are devastated to have lost our beautiful Nadine. She was a loving mother, daughter and grand-daughter.

“She was a happy, smiley girl and the light of our lives. Nadine will be missed every day; her loss has left a void that will never be filled.

“We ask that people kindly respect our privacy at this sad time.”

Staff and students at Pedmore Technology College, where Nadine was a formerly a pupil, have also been left “shocked and saddened” at the news of the teenager’s death.

Headteacher Gareth Lloyd said: “Everyone still remembers her for her caring attitude and infectious smile. Nadine was always so bright and cheerful during her time at Pedmore and her teachers have very fond memories of her. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this most difficult time.”

Paul Nightingale, manager at Juniper Training at The Waterfront in Brierley Hill where Nadine had been on a BTECH WorkSkills programme prior to becoming a mum, described the teenager as a “bright, bubbly young girl with lots of potential” and he added: “She was very popular and her passing has had an impact on a lot of people. A lot of students here currently knew her - it’s knocked them about; it’s tragic.”

Police are continuing to investigate the crash which claimed Nadine’s life and PC Glynn Hanks, from the Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is a tragic and devastating time for the family and officers from our dedicated family liaison officers continue to support them.

“Our investigation team is continuing to piece together exactly what happened and what led to the collision. I would appeal to anyone who saw anything and has not yet spoken to us to get in touch by calling the Collision Investigation Unit on 101."