The family of a "true NHS hero" consultant have paid tribute to her after she died in a four-vehicle M20 crash on Monday - which also claimed the life of a second woman.

Mum-of-one Dr Habiba Hajallie, known as Bee, has been named by her family after she died in the crash which also left a man injured.

In a statement released by the family today, they said Bee, 35, was a "true NHS hero" who had" selflessly sacrificed" by being away from her family during the pandemic as she worked on the covid frontline.

She was described as having an "infectious personality" and they said she leaves behind an "irreplaceable void".

"Loved by everyone who was fortunate enough to know her", Bee is said to have had an "infectious personality" with an "out of this world" sense of humour.

Bee was working at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent when she died.

She lived in Swanley with her fiance Adam Linnell and their five year old daughter.

The full family statement said: "It is with great sadness that the family of Dr Habiba Hajallie (aka Bee) announces her untimely and tragic death following a car accident on October 17, 2022 at the age of 35.

"Words cannot describe how she will be missed by her five year old daughter, mother, father, fiancé, brothers, sisters, grandmothers and extensive family and friends.

"Bee was a Consultant Geriatrician at William Harvey Hospital, Ashford and had been a doctor for nearly 10 years.

"She selflessly sacrificed by being away from her family for nearly a year on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic as a true NHS Hero.

"Bee had a passion and dedication for teaching and mentoring the next generation of doctors and invested a large amount of time in developing the new student training programme for East Kent.

"She was the most selfless person that everyone knew and was consistently involved in charity work for orphan children in Sierra Leone, amongst others.

"Bee was loved by everyone who was fortunate enough to know her, she had an infectious personality and her sense of humour was out of this world.

"She loved to cook and host, she was the life party and no one ever left hungry.

"Bee was exceedingly loyal to her family and friends, and she was always the first to give help and support, going above and beyond whenever it was needed.

"Bee’s death is a huge loss to her family and friends, she leaves behind an irreplaceable void and will be remembered as a special soul by all that she met.

"Details for a celebration of Bee’s life will be shared in due course.

"The family ask that you respect their privacy at this difficult time."

Police are investigating the crash after four vehicles were involved in the accident at around 8.20am on the coastbound carriageway between junctions one and two near West Kingsdown in Kent.

The crash involved a grey Infiniti Q30 Sport, a black BMW X5, a black VW Golf and a white Iveco Daily van.

Police are trying to establish the exact circumstances of the crash but say two women, who had been driving separate vehicles, were declared dead at the scene.

Their families were informed.

One man also suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Officers from the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit are leading the investigation into what happened and are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

They are urging motorists who were travelling in both directions of the M20 to check for any dashcam footage, which may assist the investigation.

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