The sister of a “bubbly and kind-hearted” young woman who died when she was struck by lorry has spoken of her shock following the funeral on Tuesday.

Masuma Mawji, 25, was popping out for lunch when the lorry hit her while she “walked along the zebra crossing” with the aid of a crutch in Green Lane, Goodmayes, at about 12.30pm on Tuesday of last week.

Masuma, who lived in Hornchurch with her family, told her father she would be back “in a few minutes” as she left the family’s pharmacy, Nuchem, also in Green Lane.

Her sister Fatma Ladak, 34, said: “I was just in disbelief. I had only seen her two days before, when she came to visit me in the West Midlands.

“She was so chatty, bubbly and kind-hearted and she had an infectious smile and warm personality.

“She was always so excited at Christmas as she loved giving people presents.”

Mrs Ladak, a mother-of-two, said the wait to bury her sister was a difficult one but the family “are very patient”.

She said: “We wanted to let her soul rest as soon as possible but we understood that the police were investigating and a second post-mortem was needed. We did ask them if they could hurry things up.

“It was lovely to see everyone at the funeral and they said so many nice things. “My family are strong and are focusing on holding on to the happy memories we have of her.”

Masuma’s father, Mohammadhussein Mawji, said the family were “absolutely devastated” by her death.

“It’s extremely sad. We’re all very shocked over what has happened.”

He described the support from the community as incredible: “We’ve had so many letters of condolences and flowers, so I want to say thank you to everyone.

“The police have also been great.”

The driver of the lorry was arrested in connection with the incident and bailed until May.