The family of a cyclist who died after a crash with a lorry in Stamford Hill has paid tribute to a woman who “defied definition”.

Stephanie Turner was described as “mercurial” and “effervescent” in a tribute from her family, who said they were “devastated” by the “huge hole” that has been left in their lives.

Ms Turner, 29, was involved in a collision with a lorry in Amhurst Park, near the junction with Seven Sisters Road on Tuesday, January 20.

She suffered critical injuries and died at the scene shortly afterwards.

In a statement, her family said: “We are utterly devastated by the loss of Stephanie, our beautiful daughter, sister, fiancée, and friend. 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.

“She ran marathons and climbed mountains. She was the life and soul of every party and lit up every room she entered. She was hugely admired by so many people for so many different reasons.”

Ms Turner studied physiotherapy at Teesside and after graduating went on to become part of the physio-team at North Tees Hospital.

More recently she worked as part of the community independence service at the Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

Her family say she “adored” her work as a physiotherapist and took great pleasure from being able to help people.

The tribute describes Ms Turner as an experienced cyclist and accomplished athlete who cycled to work every day and to see her patients in and around central London.

It adds: “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.”

“Steph and her fiancé, 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. 

“Steph's spirit was effervescent and absolutely infectious. Her open and outgoing personality drew people instinctively to her but equally she shunned the spotlight and valued her privacy and her family and friends would greatly appreciate that this was respected in this most grievous time.

"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.”