Family mourns student who had 'passion' for kayaking

THE family of a Leeds University student who died when her kayak overturned in a Scottish river said the tragedy has left them with a "huge void".

By The Newsroom

Published 8th Apr 2010, 12:57 BST

Updated 8th Apr 2010, 12:57 BST

Emily Parker, from Doncaster, was with a group on the River Coe in Glencoe, Argyll, when she capsized and was swept away on Tuesday morning. Her body was recovered during a massive search.

Her family said she was "passionate" about kayaking, which she started when she was 12.

Last summer, the 20-year-old pyschology student kayaked in Uganda and the French Alps and planned to explore rivers in New Zealand this year.

In a statement issued through police, her family said: "Emily had such a vibrant personality and was always full of love for life. Emily always had boundless energy and a big smile, often described as 'lighting up a room' when she walked in."

She went to Brayton High School and Pontefract College before university.