by Alan McGuinness

Tributes have been paid to a "cheerful and popular" Medway student as a motorist appeared in court charged with causing her death.

April George, who studied criminal justice at the University of Kent's Chatham Maritime campus, died after a horror crash on the A2 at Moor Street, in Rainham.

The 19-year-old's dad Steven was driving the Peugeot 206 when it collided with a Citreon Picasso travelling in the other direction.

He is recovering in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The driver of a third car, 29-year-old Mateusz Makiewicz, wept in the dock before Medway magistrates on Saturday after being charged with causing death by careless driving.

Former school prefect April's university lecturer and personal tutor Dr Balihar Sanghera said: 'We are all shocked to learn of this terrible news.

"April was a popular student and was always cheerful. She was happy to be studying on the programme and was highly motivated to do well. She will be deeply missed and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family."

The car in which she was a passenger collided with the Citreon near Seymour Road at about 8pm on Wednesday.

Despite being given emergency treatment at the scene, April died in hospital in the early hours of Thursday.

Mr George suffered a fractured pelvis and bleeding in his spleen. The driver of the Picasso suffered a broken wrist, toe and a deep cut to her knee cap.

Makiewicz, of Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne, was charged by police on Friday.

The Polish national confirmed his name and address through an interpreter at Medway Magistrates' Court on Saturday. He was remanded in custody and will appear at the same court on Friday.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene of the crash to April, from Sittingbourne.

Friend Gemma Swift said: "April, you are one in a million. I cannot comprehend that you won't be here with us when everyone is home from uni.

"You were so talented and had your whole life in front of you and it's the most awful thing that you were taken from us too early. Sleep in peace my lovely April. My thoughts and prayers are with your family right now."

April was a former pupil of Sittingbourne's Fulston Manor School, where shocked teachers described her as a "perfectly lovely person".

Dr Mayuri Chadha, of Sheerness Dental Centre, where April worked as a receptionist, described her as a "fantastic person with so much to give".

She said: "It's a total shock to the whole practice that she's passed away. It's difficult to believe. She's going to be missed. She was a great colleague to work with."