Teenage show jumper killed in car crash in Dorking

An international teenage show jumper has died after the car she was driving crashed.

The 18-year-old, named locally as Ella Popely, was killed when her Fiat 500 crashed near Dorking.

Surrey police said she lost control of her car following a "minor collision" with an Audi on Leith Hill Road near the junction with Abinger Road at about 10:40 GMT on Tuesday.

She was pronounced dead at the scene and her next of kin have been informed.

The road was closed for several hours following the crash, a police spokesman said.

British Showjumping paid tribute to Miss Popely saying: "An extremely talented rider who was dedicated to the sport, Ella represented Great Britain on a number of occasions always proving herself to be a great competitor and popular team member.

"The past two years have seen Ella compete extensively at home and abroad with her most recent international win in Verbier."

The organisation said Mr Popely recorded her first British Showjumping win when she was eight years old.

The tribute said she was an "extremely bright, enthusiastic and personable young woman" who would be "sorely missed by many".

Kathryn Bell, who is the head teacher of Burgess Hill Girls School in West Sussex where Ms Popely was a pupil, described her as a "ray of sunshine".

She said: "She was a blonde bombshell, absolutely full of life.

"Vast amounts of her time were spent riding and she lived for it.

"She also managed to bring that fantastic ability to have strength of character, manage her time and just be a full part of the community... heaven has gained an angel."