Family tribute after mum killed on M20

The devastated family of a young woman found dead on the M20 have paid tribute to an “absolutely fantastic and devoted” mother.

Elle-Mae Wood was found on the coastbound carriageway near Junction 10a.

The Elwick Road resident, who was planning on moving back to Dartford to be closer to her family, was just 20 years old.

She is survived by her young son Kian, and her family say she will always be remembered as a wonderful parent.

Her mum, Carly, said: “Elle was a devoted mother, and given how young she was she was absolutely fantastic.

“Her whole life was Kian, and she was busy planning his third birthday which isn’t too far away.

“There are so many moments the two should be having together in the future that she has been robbed of, like when he gets married, or graduation, and so many other things.”

As well as being a mum, Elle was also a new aunt, after her sister Paris gave birth in May.

Tragically, because of travel restrictions due to coronavirus, she never got to meet her new nephew.

Carly said: “She and Paris were always so close, it’s just another level of devastation that she never got to meet her nephew.

“We will never be able to get over it.”

But Carly says the family will gain some comfort if they are provided with answers from anyone who was there at the time of the incident, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, June 14.

Police revealed last week how the driver who hit Ms Wood may not have even realised.

Carly added: “The pain we are going through will never go away, but it could be helped by someone coming forward and providing us with the answers.

“There wasn’t much, if any, anger when it first happened, because there’s a very good chance they didn’t even see her given how dark it was.

“But now, the longer it goes on, the more it feels like her life doesn’t matter.

“She was not just a 20-year-old who was found in the motorway, she was a mum, a daughter, a sister, a niece and a granddaughter”.

An investigation into Ms Wood’s tragic death is still ongoing and police have updated their appeal line for anyone looking to come forward.

Anyone who called the previous appeal line is urged to call 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@ kent.pnn.police.uk quoting reference MM/JW/51/20.

Elle-Mae Wood, 20, is survived by her son Kian

Floral tributes have appeared at the side of the M20 close to Junction 10a

Elle-Mae Wood, left, with her sister Paris