TRIBUTES have flooded in over Facebook to a Malvern teenager who was killed by a van when crossing the road on her way to school.

Zoe Shapiro, 17, was fatally injured in the crash on Wednesday after leaving her father's house to go to school on the opposite side of the road.

Despite the best efforts of rescue teams, who rushed to the scene in Birmingham Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, she later died after being taken to the city's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Her tragic death comes only three years after her four-year-old brother, Max Corbett-Gardener, died following complications from his epilepsy.

Posting on the Worcester News Facebook page Thomas Rudeboi Maisey said: "Rip Zoe, used to be so close in school, had so many laughs in form, and in all the lessons we were in together!

"So many memories and always there for me! Only spoke a few weeks ago talking about when we will meet! Had such a bright future, will be missed"

Emma James, from Malvern Link, added: "Thoughts are with her family especially her brave mum Jo, life is cruel but you are one of the strongest people I know"

One of Zoe's former teachers Karen Crawford wrote: "A lovely girl who I had the pleasure of teaching quite a few years ago. Sending my love to her family. RIP Zoe xx"

Donna Anthoney posted: "Thoughts are with ur family, shine bright beautiful girl xx"

Meanwhile Natalie Francesca Gowing simply said: "Heartbreaking."

Writing on Malvern Gazette's Facebook page, Vicky Louise Thornton said: "Thinking of Kieran Evans and all of Zoe's other friends and her family. RIP XX"

Speaking on Wednesday, Zoe's mother, Jo Corbett-Weeks, who also has a five-year-old son TJ, said: "I am numb. To lose one child is awful but to lose two in three years is more pain than I can begin to express.

“Zoe was a happy, lovely, fun-loving, beautiful bubbly girl. She had friends and a boyfriend and plans for her future. All that is over now.

“She was very close to her little brother Max and she was so strong when he died, probably stronger than me, and I will always remember that.

“I told TJ that Zoe wouldn’t be coming home again and he cried his heart out. I don’t know how he will react when it sinks in that he has lost his brother and sister in three years.”

Zoe lived with her mum in Malvern, but she was staying with her father Dominic Shapiro, 44, the night before she died.

She was a student at the Q3 Academy in Great Barr, Birmingham and had hoped to study psychology at university.

A 42-year-old man, from Walsall, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has been released on police bail.