A "caring and bubbly" hairdresser has tragically lost her life in a car crash at the age of just 22.

Josie Smith, who lived in Herne Bay and worked at a salon in Whitstable , has been named the victim of a fatal crash on the M20 on Saturday afternoon .

In a heartfelt post on Facebook, staff at Whitstable hairdressing salon Cloud Nine paid tribute to the "wonderful and lovely" senior stylist.

"Not only was Josie a dedicated and talented hairdresser who was an example to us all, but brightened life for us," they wrote.

"We feel that the world is a little darker today."

Many of Josie's clients have also shared their heartbreak at the news of her death.

One wrote: "I am so sorry and shocked to hear this. Josie was a beautiful young lady, inside and out. She had a wonderful natural way with people and it's an honour to have known her."

Another said: "Josie was so lovely - such a caring, bubbly young lady who had the world ahead of her. What a truly sad loss."

Other friends on Facebook have described Josie as "amazing and kind" and "the life and soul of the party".

She died when the car she was in crashed into the back of another vehicle that was parked on the hard shoulder of the London-bound M20 near Maidstone , at about 2.20pm on Saturday.

A 50-year-old woman also suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The air ambulance was called and the motorway was closed for several hours while police carried out enquiries.

Anyone who witnessed Saturday's fatal crash or who may have dashcam footage is asked to contact Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting SM/DC/094/20 .

Alternatively, email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk

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