10-07-2025
British female footballer dies after being hit by car travelling 'extremely fast' while on holiday in Turkey
A young female footballer who was the 'life and party' of her team has tragically died after being hit by a car while on holiday in Turkey.
Paige Bowyer-Walker, 20, had gone out for a meal with family friends on the last night of their trip when she was struck by the vehicle which was travelling 'extremely fast'.
The 'loved and adored' daughter suffered several injuries including a fractured skull and spent a week in intensive care in Turkey.
Tragically, Paige has now passed away after her 'poor little body suffered too much trauma'.
Her parents, Nikki Bowyer and Stu Walker, flew out following the incident and were by her side for the final few days.
Paige, from Gosport, Hants, had been staying in the popular seaside resort of Kemer with family friends for nine days when the accident happened on June 28.
She had been out with family friends go get kebabs when she was hit by the car.
She sustained a cracked skull and internal bleeding, and then underwent emergency surgery before being put into an induced coma.
The family considered moving her to a hospital in the Turkish capital of Istanbul but decided against it because of the stress it would cause to Paige.
Ms Bowyer announced online that her daughter had passed away at 8.30pm on July 6.
In a statement the mother said: 'It is with a broken heart and deep regret that we announce the passing of my beautiful girl.
'Her poor little body suffered too much trauma she just had enough.
'We thank every single one of you for your support at the hardest time of our lives but am asking please give us privacy right now we need to try and process how we're going to do life with out seeing our beautiful girl again.
'Paige was loved and adored by so many and I know she felt the same about you all.
'Fly high my beautiful girl, till we meet again I will forever carry you in my heart.'
Emily Taylor, who coached Paige at Gosport Borough Youth Ladies FC, said she was a 'typical 20 year old' and loved to party.
She said: 'She was a typical 20 year old that just loved partying.
'She was the life and party of our team.'
A Gofundme set up by Ms Taylor has raised £8,495 so far, it was initially to help with Paige's medical costs and to get her family out to Turkey and will now be used to repatriate her body and help with funeral costs.
In a statement the senior women's club at Gosport Borough said they hoped the footballer was now playing on a 'field full of stars'.
'I cannot quite believe the loss of such a young player so unexpectedly and all my thoughts are currently with Paige and those close to her,' said club captain Charlotte Lindsey.
'Where Paige played for Gosport Borough Women Youth, this is a huge loss to the football community.
'Paige, when you came to the youth set up, you were so young and timid but how far you have come.
'I have watched from afar you grow in confidence both on and off the pitch and despite the fact we played in separate teams, we shared a passion and love for the same game.
'I have watched your team mates nurture you and support you and you support them in return.'
Ms Lindsey continued: 'I am deeply saddened that we will never again get to watch you play the game you love, or watch you pass on the support and knowledge onto young players as older players have passed onto you.
'I'm saddened you'll never play a final match and for your team mates who will burden your loss every single time they put on their Borough shirts.
'Regardless of teams, I speak for all of us at GBFC, the football community has endured a huge loss in losing Paige.
'We would like to honour Paige in our first home game of the season. She will not be forgotten from our community.
'I hope wherever you are now Paige, you get to play on a football field full of stars.'
