Moving tributes have been paid to cyclist Stephanie Turner, as it emerged her death came just months after her sister died in childbirth.

Newly engaged 29-year old physiotherapist Stephanie died two miles from her home in Michley Road, Tottenham after she was in collision with a HGV in Amburst Park on her way to a patient appointment last Tuesday.

Her family have been left “utterly devastated” by her death.

In a statement they said: “Trying to find words with which to describe her is such a difficult task as the kind of person Steph was seems to defy definition.

“Steph’s spirit was effervescent and absolutely infectious.

“She ran marathons and climbed mountains. She was the life and soul of every party and lit up every room she entered.

“Stephanie was mercurial. She was one in a million. She was, as a close friend said, a pea from her very own pod. A huge hole has been left in our lives.”

Her sister Claire Widdicombe, a 38-year-old primary school teacher, died while giving birth last September.

Miss Turner became engaged to fellow athletics enthusiast Ian Pibworth in June and the couple were planning to return to his native Scotland.

Originally from Paignton, Devon, she studied physiotherapy in the North East and joined North Tees Hospital, before moving to the Community Independence Service at the Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

The statement continues: “Steph adored her work as a physiotherapist and took great pleasure from being able to help so many people.

“Steph was an experienced cyclist and accomplished athlete who everyday not only cycled to work but also to see her patients in and around central London.

“To Steph, cycling was much more than a means of commuting: it brought her real excitement and satisfaction and allowed her to feel truly connected to London, the city she had come to love and live for.

“She regularly spoke of her feeling of connection to London’s cycling community, who we know will be left reeling by this tragic incident on such a widely used cycle route.

“Steph and her fiance, Ian had so many plans for the future which would inevitably, with Steph involved, have brought so much joy to everyone, especially her parents, Steve and Linda, her sister, Suzy and her wider family and friends who so loved her.”

The 47-year-old driver of the lorry stopped at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been bailed to return in early April pending further enquiries.