Kingston University- John Galsworthy Building. Image: Kingston University

Kingston University has made a heart-felt tribute to its 21 year old student who died in collision with a BMW car on the Penrhyn A240 Road Tuesday night.

Hina Samim was in the final stages of a BSc(Hons) in Exercise, Nutrition and Health when she was struck by a vehicle that had collided with a bus.

She died at the scene.

It was declared a major incident with five children in the car taken to hospital by a fleet of ambulances and the driver being arrested and later bailed on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Hina’s Course director and personal tutor Dr Elizabeth Pummell has paid tribute to ‘the talented student’, describing her death as ‘a huge loss to both her lecturers and course mates.’

Dr Pummell said:

Hina was always smiling and had an incredibly bubbly personality. She was well liked and respected by her fellow students and was an absolute pleasure to teach.

She loved getting involved in group discussions and had a particular interest in nutrition. Hina was extremely passionate about health issues and learning more about how she could encourage others to develop a healthy lifestyle.

At the time of her death, Hina was preparing to take her final examinations before graduating this summer.

Fellow students had chosen Hina to be their course representative and she was an active member of the university community.

She had served as a health ambassador on campus, as part of the university’s student academic development research associate scheme.

Dr Pummell added:

We will all miss Hina enormously and are deeply saddened to have lost someone so full of promise in such tragic circumstances. Our deepest sympathies go out to Hina’s family and to everyone who knew her at this very sad time.

The University’s Islamic Society has expressed condolences on its Facebook page:

It is with great sadness to inform you of the passing of sister Hina Shamim, a third year student at Kingston University. Our dear sister passed away in a tragic accident which occurred outside Kingston University on Tuesday evening.

Detective Sergeant John Hartfree from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Merton is investigating the incident. He said:

Penrhyn Road would have been busy at the time of the collision and I am appealing for anyone who saw this tragic event unfold to contact police.

I am particularly keen to speak to the occupants of a dark coloured car which was seen following the white BMW M3 car immediately prior to the collision.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call the witness line on 020 8543 5157 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

See our previous coverage

Kingston crash between car and bus- woman pedestrian dies, five children taken to hospital, one arrest.