A 16-year-old schoolgirl who died in a road accident on Sunday was last night identified as Amber Bridges.

Ms Bridges, from St George’s and a keen horse rider, was killed when her motorcycle and a van were in collision on South Road, Southampton just after noon.

She was the island’s fifth roads death of the year.

Ian Truran, a family friend and a past president of the Bermuda Equestrian Federation, said the news had shocked everyone involved in the sport.

He added: “As a family friend I can say an angel has been taken from us – way too early.

“We always, as a family, will support them through this very difficult time.”

A police spokesman said the accident happened as Ms Bridges was driving east and a van driven by a 57-year-old Sandys man was headed in the opposite direction.

They were in collision on a series of bends near Cross Bay Road, close to the Fairmont Southampton golf course, at about 12.15pm.

The van driver was uninjured.

Witnesses who have not already come forward should contact Pc Walter Jackson at the roads policing unit on 247-1788 or e-mail wjackson@bps.bm.