Dad's tribute to crash girl

Sep 30 2008 by Christopher Henwood, Birmingham Mail

THE heartbroken dad of a teenage girl who died after being in collision with a car, today spoke of his final goodbye to his “vibrant” daughter.

Wayne Holder, of Yardley Wood Road, Billesley, fought back tears as he described 14-year-old Sophia as a “fantastic dancer,” with a “get go” attitude.

Swanshurst School pupil Sophia was involved in a collision, near the Texaco Garage on Alcester Road South, in Kings Heath, on Saturday at around 9pm.

She was taken by ambulance to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where she later died.

“I saw her last that night,” said Mr Holder. “She was staying with a friend and I just said ‘see you tomorrow’.

“She loved her music – rap, anything, and drum and bass – and was a fantastic dancer.

“She was such a vibrant, young girl with a go getting attitude.”

Sophia had two brothers, Kyle, aged 17, and Callum, aged eight, and one sister, Ashleigh, aged 13.

Mr Holder and his wife, Lisa, were one of more than 25 people to leave moving tributes Sophia at the scene of the incident.

“You can tell by the tributes at the scene how popular she was,” added Mr Holder. “She had plenty of friends.”

Two ambulances, a critical care practitioner and two doctors were sent to the aid of Sophia.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The teenager had suffered a serious head injury as well as a broken right leg, chest injuries and breathing difficulties.

“On arrival, crews immediately started treating her and assisting her breathing.”

The driver of the car was shocked but not hurt.

Mr and Mrs Holder’s roadside tribute to Sophia read: “To our beautiful daughter Sophia. Miss you more than words can say. Goodnight angel, you are now a bright star in the sky. We are so very proud of you, Love mom and dad.”

Another of the roadside tributes read: “Taken away so tragically when you had so much to live for.”