Lewis Hamilton's grid girl named as Walsall crash victim
A former grid girl for Lewis Hamilton has been named as the victim of a horror crash.
Kate Woodcock, from Aldridge, was described as a 'lovely, beautiful girl' after she was killed when her black BMW smashed into a wall in Walsall.
She was a grid girl - a professional model appearing at Formula 1 races across the world - and had worked with superstar champion Lewis Hamilton for two years.
A funding page has now been launched by friends of the 30-year-old, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Chester Road, Stonnall, last week.
Ms Woodcock said she 'loved' her job in an interview this year.
Modelling agency SDMPE said: "We’d like to take the time out to pay a special tribute to Kate Woodcock.
"We’re deeply shocked and saddened to lose such a lovely, beautiful girl and an exceptional model who shined very bright always."
The JustGiving page to raise money for Ms Woodcock's funeral is closing in on £5,000.
Organiser Lucy Ford said: "On September 27, 2018 our lives were turned upside down when we tragically lost Kate.
"Kate was a beautiful special girl who will be missed deeply by everyone who knew her. We hope to raise funds towards the cost of her funeral and give her the send off she deserves. Many thanks for all your love and support."
Floral tributes and messages were left at the scene where the tragic 30-year-old died.
Speaking about her job earlier this year, Ms Woodcock reportedly said: "I did it because I wanted to do it and loved it.
"It’s professional and nobody crossed the line once.
"More stuff probably goes on in an office. There was only me and another girl that were British.
“I was booked because I was intelligent, well-spoken, hard-working and those elements go into the whole package.
“There’s a lot of work people don’t see in these roles.
"You have to learn how to walk down the grid, how to hold your flag and the boards for the formations – there’s a lot of training that goes into it."
