A pre-inquest hearing will take place next week into the death of a 23-year-old in a crash on the M40 last year.

Alisha Saeed, 23, died following a crash on the motorway near Beaconsfield on May 22, 2023.

She was travelling as a passenger in a blue VW Golf which collided with a Ford Transit around midday between Junctions 2 and 3 northbound.

A pre-inquest review is scheduled to take place on June 25 at Beaconsfield Coroner's Court.

Ms Saeed was a resident of Thornton Heath in Croydon, and her family paid tribute to her in a statement issued after the crash.

In the message, they described her as a 'kind-hearted angel.'

The statement reads: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of our beloved daughter and sister, Alisha Saeed.

"Alisha was more than just a daughter and sister - she was a kind-hearted angel who brought joy and happiness to everyone she met. Her infectious smile and warm personality lit up every room she entered, and her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her.

"The loss of Alisha is immeasurable. She was taken from us far too soon, but her memory will live on forever in our hearts.

"We are not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it is impossible to imagine life without Alisha.

"We will always cherish the moments we shared with Alisha and the impact she had on our lives. She will be dearly missed, but her spirit will continue to shine brightly, reminding us to live each day with kindness, love, and compassion.

"Rest in peace, dear Alisha, and know that you will never be forgotten."

Ms Saeed's death came at a time of increased road casualties across Buckinghamshire.

In 2023, there were 890 injuries and deaths reported in the county - up from 880 in 2022.

Data from road safety charity IAM RoadSmart revealed that 229 people were seriously injured in such incidents - of whom 11 died.

By contrast, nine died in crashes in 2022.

This local spike bucked the national trend, with 132,063 road casualties registered across the UK in 2023 - a slight decrease on the year before.

Most road-related injuries or deaths were in London, with 26,138 reported there - although the rate in South-East England approached this, with 21,481 casualties in 2023.