A BRITISH woman footballer has tragically died after being hit by a car in Turkey.
Paige Bowyer-Walker, 20, was out for a kebab on holiday in Kemer with family friends when she was hit by a car on Saturday, 28 June.
GettyThe tragedy occurred in Kemer, Turkey[/caption]
Paige Bowyer-Walker, 20, was on holiday in Kemer with family and friends when she was hit by a car on Saturday
Paige’s dad, Stuart, told The Sun how, en route back to the hotel after grabbing food, she was struck by a car.
Paige was then put into an induced coma so they could remove her spleen and make some minor repairs around it, Stuart said.
Paige also suffered injuries such as a broken pelvis, lung damage, a broken shoulder, broken nose, fractured skull and a bleed on the brain.
She sadly never recovered from her injuries.
Family members received a phone call the day after the incident, and Stuart “literally just dropped everything” to be with his daughter, as did Paige’s mum Niki.
Stuart said how when he “started talking to [Paige]” in hospital, her “heart rate shot up to 130 and it was almost like she was trying to take a breath,” initially alarming him.
But the doctor said it was a good sign and that she was “trying to breathe”.
He added: “ I was telling her a joke about her little brother, and to me she was laughing.
“[The doctor] said it’s good that she’s responding.
“And a little tear rolled down her eye. I’ll never ever forget that.”
Stuart and mum Niki continued to see their daughter and talk to her, where there were ”signs there that she was just resting.”
He said: “She was trying to move, like her hands, her little head was just having a little wobble and we were, so, so hopeful.”
Stuart returned to the UK a few days later to deal with things back home and relay information on Paige to family and friends, while mum Niki remained in Turkey.
Stuart then said he got a phone call on Saturday evening to say Paige’s brain function was depleting.
He jumped on the next flight out, but as soon as he got off the plane, Niki phoned to say that Paige’s brain “had stopped working”.
Paige was tragically pronounced dead on Sunday evening.
Stuart stressed how incredible the authorities in Turkey have been, as well as the medical staff that looked after Paige, with the treatment she received being “second to none”.
And a family friend who lives out in Turkey has been with Stuart “every step of the way out there”.
He added about the friend: “ I would not be this far ahead with everything if it wasn’t for her.”
GoFundMePaige’s family announced that she tragically died on Sunday[/caption]
Now Paige’s grieving family are waiting to get her home.
Stuart explained how it feel’s like being in a “bad dream,” and that it “could have happened to anybody”.
He also said how he and Paige’s mum Niki are “absolutely heartbroken,” as are the rest of her family, and they will miss their daughter “terribly”.
Niki Bowyer, Paige’s mum, wrote in a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook: “It is with a broken heart and deep regret that we announce the passing of my beautiful girl.
“Her heart stopped beating at 8.30pm on July 6. Her poor little body suffered too much trauma; she just had enough.”
Following the crash, Paige’s friend Emily Taylor began a fundraiser to help her family stay with Paige in Turkey whilst she was receiving treatment – and to eventually bring her home.
Emily said on the page: “The last few days of her life, she spent with her mum and dad, who are totally broken.
“Paige was told daily how much she was and is loved by everyone and how much support we were all sending her.
“She spent a week fighting for her life, and now she is out of pain.”
Following her tragic death, Paige’s family thanked everyone for their support.
Mum Niki added: “We thank every single one of you for your support at the hardest time of our lives, but I am asking, please give us privacy right now.
“We need to try and process how we’re going to live without seeing our beautiful girl again.
“Paige was loved and adored by so many, and I know she felt the same about you all. Fly high, my beautiful girl, till we meet again, I will forever carry you in my heart.”
Paige was part of the Gosport Borough Ladies Reserve Football team, where she was described as a “talented” player.
Grassroots Football UK said in a tribute posted to social media: “Everyone at Gosport Borough Youth Ladies send their thoughts and heart felt condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Paige.
“Taken so young. May all that know you cherish the memories made both on and off the pitch.
“Gosport Borough Youth Ladies, our thoughts are with you.
“We extend our deepest sympathies for Paige, her family, friends and teammates at this sad time.”
An FCDO Spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities.”
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