'She's my star in the sky now'.

Those are the heart-breaking words of a mother who lost her beloved daughter, Louise Slater, in a tragic car crash in Cyprus.

Just hours after Liz Bushaway texted her 24-year-old daughter, the former Deal schoolgirl died in crash in Paphos.

Louise, who lived with her mother in Golf Road, lost her life on Sunday morning at 2.45am local time.

She was driving after an evening out with friends when, according to Cypriot police, she lost control of her car, which overturned.

Louise was alone in the car and not wearing her seat belt. She was taken to Paphos hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

Shocked friends and family have left tributes on her Facebook page, describing her as “a legend” and “a top lass.”

The former Astor Secondary and Castle Community pupil had been living in Cyprus with her aunt and uncle, Nicky and Mike Owen, since September last year and working for their pool maintenance and chemical supply business.

In her teens, she was a Deal Army Cadet and played rugby for Betteshanger.

She had served in the British Army from September 2007 until September 2011, touring Afghanistan in 2009.

She later worked at Saga in Folkestone.

Mum Liz texted Louise for the last time on Saturday morning.

She said: “I was so proud of her. When you were down she cheered you up. She had big blue eyes, a big smile and that laugh.

“She’s my star in the sky now.”

Mrs Bushaway said her daughter was working hard to get back in the Army. “She said it was like another family,” she said.

Her brother, Shane Slater, 21, left a comment saying: “You weren’t just my sis, you were my best bud as well!”

One of her friends, Rosie Kirk, from Deal, said: “You never want to receive the news that one of your oldest best mates has been tragically taken.

“I feel like my heart has been ripped out.”

Rosie travelled to Cyprus to see Louise in December.

Friend Alice Pettitt, who also lives in Deal, said: “She was a truly selfless person and a friend for life.”

Friend Craig Lythgoe from Manchester set up a just giving page for Louise, asking people to donate money to help bring her home and lay her to rest.

“She was a truly selfless person and a friend for life” - Alice Pettitt

The page was set up on Tuesday with a target of £3,000. By yesterday morning an astounding £6,185 had been raised.

The Cypriot Legion and the British Legion are working together to collect funds in order for Miss Slater’s body to return to England.

Mrs Bushaway has asked friends with any memories of Louise to get in touch with her.

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