Stephanie Dees, 26, moved to New York from her home near Petersfield three months ago and died on Saturday when she was hit by two taxis.

On hearing the devastating news her parents flew out to America where her funeral will be held.

Stephanie had dual citizenship and her grandparents live in Syracuse, central New York, where her funeral is expected to be held.

The artist had been on a night out with friend Ann Sullivan, 26, of Albany, who was also hit and later died in hospital.

Witnesses to the crash saw the two women crossing the road where they were hit by one taxi before being thrown into the path of another.

An emotional man who saw what happened on the night rushed into the street where he found one of the women was fading in and out of consciousness.

He said: 'I was telling her, "Hold on, sweetie, help is on the way". Time was going so quick. They didn't have a chance, but I was hoping. They got hit so hard.'

Stephanie had completed BA Honours degree in fine art at Sheffield University and had spent the last two years at the International School of Prague in the Czech Republic.