A TEENAGE girl who died after being hit by a car as she walked along a pavement on her way to college will help to save the lives of others through organ donation.

Cassie McCord, 16, a student at The Sixth Form College, Colchester, suffered a serious head injury and a broken leg when an 87-year-old driver fell ill at the wheel and lost control of his car.

The tragedy happened in Head Street, Colchester, shortly before 9am on Monday and left Cassie trapped between a red Vauxhall Astra and the side of H&M clothes store.

Cassie, of Drury Road in Colchester, was treated at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, and her family was informed at 11.55am on Tuesday that all signs of brain activity had ceased.

Her parents remained by her bedside and she continued to be linked to a life-support machine while the possibility of organ donation was considered. The life-support machine was then switched off and Cassie was certified dead.

Cassie’s mother, Jackie McCord said: “Cassie’s organs have been used to save others, which was her wish, and to ensure that she did not die in vain.”

One of Cassie’s closest friends, Dani Murghia, 16, said: “She was a very popular girl and everyone loved her. She always had a big smile on her face and that’s how she will be remembered.

“Cassie loved spending time with her friends and her boyfriend and doing normal things like watching films and having fun. She’s going to be hugely missed by everyone who knew her.

“The whole college has been rocked by what has happened, even those who didn’t know her have been shocked. The mood has been very glum.”

Principal Ian MacNaughton said that the college had held a two-minute silence for Cassie yesterday morning.

“Staff and students at the college are so sad that Cassie has not survived from Monday’s terrible accident,” he said.

“Cassie joined us last September and was studying AS levels. She was an excellent student and extremely well liked and popular.

“She will be enormously missed. College staff will do everything we can to support her family and friends.”

A first-year student at the college on North Hill, Cassie was studying law, geography and communication. Previously she had been a student at The Gilberd School in Highwoods.

Tributes have flooded in for the teenager and more than 5,000 people have joined a Facebook group called ‘R.I.P Cassie McCord’.

More than 200 people have left comments including Stacey Harding who said: “Cassie was a great girl with such a great personality and a real princess at heart. It was a real pleasure to work with her and she and her most amazing smiley smile will be greatly missed.”

A comment left by Tia Gordon said: “She is with the angels now, she fought well but lost the fight. We are all touched by the comments. Thank you all x.”

And Paul Sims said: “I didn’t know Cassie but was in town at the time it happened. Just the most tragic set of unfortunate circumstances that has led to the loss of a young girl. Thoughts are with family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. R.I.P Cassie.”

The other 16-year-old girl who was injured in the accident was taken to Colchester hospital and has now been released. The driver, from Colchester, remains in hospital.

Police are renewing their appeal for witnesses to the crash and for anyone who may have seen the red Vauxhall Astra being driven immediately before the incident to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit of Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.