Emma Donnelly (20) from Woodland Avenue, the youngest of nine children, was struck by a vehicle after getting off the minibus on a road between Stroud and Bath in the South West of England.

A fine art student at Bristol University, she was returning to the city from the Badminton Horse Trials where she had been working to earn some extra money to help fund her studies.

News of the tragedy which claimed Emma's life just nine weeks before her 21st birthday was broken to her parents Liam and Geraldine by PSNI officers late on Saturday night.

The devastated couple flew flew to Bristol 12 hours later to await the release of their daughter's body following a post mortem examination.

Emma's eldest brother Phillip paid a moving tribute to his 'very very beautiful and very talented' sister, who was due to celebrate her 21st birthday on July 7.

"Emma was a real reflection of our parents and a true credit to them. She had a good effect on people and was very friendly," he continued.

"She was our youngest sister and a very talented artist. She will be sorely missed and I'm not sure if our parents will ever get over her loss."

He explained Emma's death had also brought grief to her large but very close extended family.

"Nothing like this has ever happened to any of us before. I suppose up until now we have been lucky," he added.

Philip said Emma's boyfriend Sean McDonald, a native of Belfast who also lives in Bristol, had been severely traumatised since news of her death was broken to him.

He explained the sequence of events which led to Emma's death began when the minibus in which she was travelling became caught up in heavy traffic.

"A number of those on board left the vehicle in order to stretch their legs on the opposite side of the road," he said. "Emma decided to do the same but as she followed them she was struck by another vehicle."

Mr. Donnelly also paid tribute to the way in which Lisburn PSNI dealt with the matter.

Emma was a former pupil of St. Colman's Primary at Lambeg and Rathmore Grammar School and undertook foundation art studies in Belfast before moving to Bristol.

A spokesperson for St Colman's said staff were 'very shocked and saddened' to learn of Emma's tragic death.

"She will be remembered fondly as a popular talented girl. Our deepest sympathies are with her parents, brothers, sisters and family circle," she added.

As well as Philip and her parents Emma is also survived by four brothers and three sisters.

Philip said his parents hoped to be able to bring Emma's remains home this weekend with her funeral taking place in St. Colman's, Lambeg at the beginning of the week.