THE family of a 15-year-old girl who was killed when a car driven by her 15-year-old friend crashed into a tree have spoken of their talented daughter's “enthusiasm for life”.

THE family of a 15-year-old girl who was killed when a car driven by her 15-year-old friend crashed into a tree have spoken of their talented daughter's “enthusiasm for life”.

Camilla Hamilton, of Littley Green, near Braintree, died on Saturday night just outside Pebmarsh, near Halstead, after a car she was in was involved in the accident.

The Felsted School pupil was a passenger in a Mercedes ML 4x4 travelling in Twinstead Road.

In a statement issued through the police yesterday, Camilla's family described their beloved daughter's myriad of talents.

It said: “Camilla had lived in the Felsted area for the last seven years and she had just finished year 10 at Felsted School. Her brother Joe was also a pupil at Felsted, having just taken his A-levels.

“Camilla was an academic scholar at Felsted School, a bright girl with lots of potential, particularly strong in English and modern languages.

“She was recently selected for the under-15 East of England hockey squad having played Essex under-15 hockey.”

“She had also been selected to go for County Netball Trials this summer and was described in her most recent school report as 'a very talented sportswoman' by her PE teacher,” the statement added.

It continued: “She represented the school in all sports at first team level for her year group and was a valued member of the school first team hockey at the young age of 15.

“She could dance and sing too and was involved in a number of productions including the main school musicals Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat and Grease.”

Describing her leadership qualities, her family said she was “respected, kind, thoughtful, tidy and well organised”.

It added: “She has a very close and loving family who have always supported her in everything she has done.

“In addition, she was also a tremendously popular girl with a great enthusiasm for life, who took advantage of all the opportunities she was offered. She leaves behind a large number of friends.”

Police say the Mercedes was being driven by another 15-year-old girl, who was arrested in connection with the incident but released on bail after questioning.

It is thought the car left the near-side of the road and then hit some trees. The youngsters were travelling in the general direction of Maplestead and the incident happened on a bend near Cripple Corner to the north of the village.