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Tributes to 'caring' woman who died on A12

Louise Parry
BBC News, Essex
Google A view from a Google vehicle on the A12 dual carriageway, seen from the right hand lane of the left hand carriageway. It is lined with grass verges. A few vehicles are moving on the road and there is a stadium to the left.Google
Katherine Frost died after walking on the A12 near the Colchester United stadium in April

Tributes have been paid to a young woman who was hit by a car while on "escorted leave" from a mental health facility.

Katherine Frost, 18, was killed while walking on the A12 near the Colchester United stadium shortly after 19:30 BST on 22 April.

Her family said: "Katherine was a beautiful daughter, sister, granddaughter, auntie, niece and cousin who was loved by so many beyond measure."

Care provider Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) called it a "tragic loss" of life, after an inquest heard Ms Frost was on a planned trip away from the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester.

Lewis Adams/BBC A close up shot of a large red sign saying "HM Coroner's Service" in white lettering, with the white Crown logo on the left, at the main entrance of the stone building.Lewis Adams/BBC
An inquest into Miss Frost's death was opened in Chelmsford on Thursday

A brief inquest hearing at Essex Coroner's Court was told she died from multiple traumatic injuries in a road traffic collision.

"At the time of her death, she was a patient at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester," coroner's officer Andy Flack said.

"Miss Frost was on escorted leave with a member of staff when she was struck by a vehicle on the southbound A12."

A full inquest will take place at a future date.

Miss Frost's family paid tribute to her, saying: "There are not enough words to describe Katherine. She was so caring and putting others' needs before her own.

"Touching the hearts of so many who got to know her and loved to put others at ease by making them laugh, with a massive passion for animals.

"She will be missed and remembered every day. May she rest in peace.

"We request privacy at this unbelievably difficult time."

Essex Police said it was continuing to investigate the collision, and appealed for dash cam footage or witnesses.

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