A beauty queen was crushed to death by her own car while she was unloading her belongings outside her university accommodation.
Eleisha Skinner, 21, who was crowned Miss Faversham in 2022, was studying at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe when the tragedy unfolded.
She was moving her belongings from her car when it rolled backwards and pinned her against the wall of the university accommodation building.
Her family said Eleisha was able to dial 999 while trapped and the emergency services were there within minutes.
However, despite desperate efforts by her housemates and medical staff, she died in hospital days later on January 8.
It has been confirmed that the Buckinghamshire New University student will be posthumously awarded a BSc with honours in social work.
The 21-year-old was hugely popular in her hometown, and on Friday her family and scores of well-wishers gathered for a celebration of her life at St Mary of Charity Church.
More than 200 people turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of the ‘beautiful, kind and selfless’ former carnival queen.
Eleisha Skinner, 21, who was crowned Miss Faversham in 2022, was studying at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe when the tragedy unfolded
She was moving her belongings from her car when it rolled backwards and pinned her against the wall of the university accommodation building
Her family said Eleisha was able to dial 999 while trapped and the emergency services were there within minutes. Despite desperate efforts by her housemates and medical staff, she died in hospital days later on January 8. Pictured: Eleisha Skinner with her father Nigel Skinner
Her coffin was carried by horse and carriage past her old school, The Abbey, before making its way along East Street and up to the church.
It was a traditional ceremony, though mourners were invited to wear pink ties as a nod to Eleisha’s favourite colour.
The funeral heard tributes from her family, best friends and former teachers.
Reading on behalf of the Skinners, Rev Corcoran reflected on her love for Christmas, fashion and her family.
‘Stunning, confident and always beautifully herself,’ he said.
‘Eleisha was the kind of person who made the world greater, just by being in it. Her impact was immense.
‘We will carry with us always our beautiful Eleisha, forever loved.’
Her older brother Kian reminisced about the last time the siblings spent one-on-one time together and their special bond, which went back to their childhoods.
‘I stand here today as a proud brother, who witnessed Eleisha develop into a brilliant woman,’ he said.
‘There will never be a person who can replace my little sister. God bless her, I will always love you, little sis.’
Eleisha’s grandfather, George, said: ‘We had the privilege of knowing you as a child, watching you grow up, supporting you, celebrating who you’ve become, and loving you unconditionally.
‘Eleisha cared fiercely, fiercely about the people she loved, family matters, friends matter, and love matters.
‘We will always be there for your mum and dad. Family was everything to you, and you mean everything to us.
‘Full of energy and mischief and joy. A presence that made everything brighter.’
More than 200 people turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of the ‘beautiful, kind and selfless’ former carnival queen
Mother Clare Skinner has expressed her gratitude ‘for all the support, kind words and donations from people that knew and did not know Eleisha’.
A GoFundMe has been launched in Eleisha’s name for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance team, which the family say was ‘fantastic’.
The helicopter emergency medical service paramedic attended in a critical care car and escorted her to the hospital.
In a tribute published after her death, her heartbroken parents, Nigel and Clare Skinner, said: ‘We are utterly devastated by the sudden loss of our precious girl.
‘Writing these words feels unimaginable, yet we want the world to know who she truly was: a kind, selfless, passionate young woman who always put others before herself.
‘Nothing was ever too much for Eleisha. She had a heart of gold and a smile that could light up any room.’
A star pupil with a passion for learning, Eleisha thrived at school in Faversham, attending St Mary’s Primary School and later The Abbey.
She flourished academically and socially and was always eager to get involved – whether organising the school prom or fundraising for the Faversham Fire Brigade.
Despite her outgoing nature, her family were surprised when she decided to put herself forward for Miss Faversham in 2022.
Demonstrating her beauty both inside and out, Eleisha was crowned and went on to represent the town at events across the county.
She embraced the role with pride, raising money for local charities and Faversham Carnival Club, and loved attending dances and events where she formed lifelong friendships.
She was later voted Miss Congeniality by the courts at the Miss Kent Dinner, which her family described as a ‘true reflection of her kind spirit’.
‘Eleisha was so proud of her court, and they placed at many events. The carnival community became like a second family to us,’ they said.
‘Her love for her town and her genuine personality shone through,’ said the Skinners.
An inquest into her death was opened this week at Beaconsfield Coroners Court and heard how the parked car had pushed her up against the university accommodation building.
A full inquest into Eleisha’s death will be held at the same venue on June 23.
