THE tragic and unexpected death of a former Canterbury College student has left close friends stunned.

Joanna Anderson, 22, died last weekend after being readmitted to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. She had earlier been treated in the hospital for abdominal injuries after being taken there on Sunday, March 7.

Natalie Rivers, who had been friends with Joanna for more than three years, spoke to her the evening before she was readmitted to hospital.

"She was in so much pain and still suffering from shock," she said. "She seemed lost. I believe a doctor was called and the next day she was taken back to the hospital. She was in intensive care and died on Friday afternoon.

"Jo was a lovely, outgoing girl. She lit up the room with her smile and always thought about other people before herself."

Police had been called to a disturbance in Collard Close, Herne Bay, at 2am on Sunday, March 7, and say a young woman was taken to Kent and Canterbury Hospital with abdominal injuries.

"We are still looking into what happened but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident," said spokesman Michael Ivatt.

Joanna, who also went to the Montgomery School in Sturry, was to be a bridesmaid in three weeks when a friend marries in Kenya.

"She had been looking forward to being my bridesmaid for the last 14 months," said Gemma Hills, with whom Joanna lived for more than two years at Herne.

"This is a real tragedy. It still hasn't sunk in. Jo was my friend, my family, my soul-mate and companion all rolled into one. She was near and dear to so many people. We have lost a loving and very special person."

Joanna was a barmaid at the Queen Victoria pub in Herne Bay and also worked at the town's Bandstand Cafe Bar.

A post mortem has taken place and an inquest will be held.