AN “INSPIRATIONAL” woman was tragically killed in a Christmas day crash.

Samantha May had been crossing Ferry Road in Littlehampton when she was involved in a collision with a Nissan Car, shortly after 5pm.

Emergency services and people nearby desperately tried to save her life, starting CPR treatment.

But the 37-year-old from Littlehampton was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving her family and friends heartbroken.

In a statement they said: “She was taken far too soon and far too young. The life she had was lived to the full... She did so much but had so much more to do.

“All our hearts are breaking, and we wonder now how we will ever get over our huge loss.”

They said she was “one of a kind” who was generous, kind, and at time hilarious. She will be missed her her nephews Toby and Charlie, who will remember her as their “crazy auntie Sam”.

They added: “Sam was highly motivated and driven with a creative flare which gave inspiration to those she knew and loved. “Life is beautiful” she would say, even when she or others were clouded by many of the evils or upsets of it.

“She had so many friends and was clearly loved by so many from the outpouring of love for her on Facebook. She was highly regarded at her place of work at British Airways too, with a reputation of being a joy to be around.

“Her hobbies were too numerous to mention, she could turn her mind to almost anything, be it writing poems, stories, etc but her main hobbies were sport-related.

“Everything she did, she excelled in, be it triathlons, marathons, iron-man swims or body building. She was so determined to be the best at whatever she did. She was fiercely competitive, yes with others, but mainly with herself.

“She strived for the perfect life, with love, job and health; always her own worst critic, questioning her abilities, she never really recognised all the things she had achieved in her life. She was unique, special, and simply irreplaceable.

“Samantha leaves behind her mother Tricia, sister Tanya, half-sister Martine and nephews Toby and Charlie, who she loved and adored.”

Her funeral will take place at Worthing Crematorium on Wednesday, January 16 at 1.40pm.

All are welcome to attend the service, and have been asked to wear bright colours, not black, in her memory. They have requested family flowers only.

Police are still appealing for information online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Holmer.