THE father of a vet who died in a quad bike crash has paid tribute to her kindness and said she was “the life and soul of any party”.

James Hore

THE father of a vet who died in a quad bike crash has paid tribute to her kindness and said she was “the life and soul of any party”.

Louise Andrews died after she lost control of the off-road vehicle when she was visiting a farm off Copt Hall Lane, in Little Wigborough, near Colchester.

The 37-year-old from Coggeshall was discovered at the bottom of an embankment and was declared dead at the scene.

A joint-investigation into Friday's accident has been launched by Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

Dr Richard Andrews today paid tribute to his daughter's sense of fun and adventure.

He said: “Louise made an impression on the lives of everyone she touched.

“She was the life and soul of any party and had a kind heart and would always put herself out for those she cared most about.

“She was a favourite auntie and much loved by all her nieces and nephews who appreciated her sense of fun and adventure.

“A sense of family was extremely important to Louise and she will be sadly missed.”

He said Louise loved to travel and had spent time at an animal clinic in Thailand where she also gained a diving instructor's certificate before returning to England.

She completed a Masters at Stirling University and then worked at a practice on Mersea Island where she lived for a time.

But the urge to set up her own practice specialising in fish diseases led to a move to Coggeshall.

Her business - Andrews Veterinary Services Ltd - attracted clients from far afield and she was also called upon by owners of fish farms and other corporate clients.

It is understood she was visiting trout lakes on the farm when the accident happened.

She was brought up in Coalville, Leicestershire and attended St Clare's Convent School and was the youngest of a family of seven.

Dr Andrews added: “Though small in stature, she always managed to maintain her independence. She had a great sense of fun and was something of a “tomboy”.

The family moved to Warwickshire in 1980 and Louise continued her education at St Joseph's School in Kenilworth.

Soon after leaving school she spent several months on a farm in Jersey where she also played hockey for the island's ladies team. She obtained first-class honours degree in physiology at University College London and went on to the Royal Veterinary College where she obtained a degree in 1997.

A post-mortem examination is expected to take place in the next few days and an inquest will be held at a later date.