Tributes paid to ‘popular and cherished’ Eastbourne teen after ‘tragic loss’

Olivia Chung has been described as ‘wickedly brilliant’ and a high achiever who was ‘popular and cherished’ by all who knew her.

The 18-year-old had just completed her A Levels and had received a place at University College London (UCL).

Her mother said, “We’re extremely proud of all she was able to achieve in such a short time. She was wickedly brilliant, receiving countless awards from the Regional and Global World Scholar’s Cup for her writing and debating skills.

“But as decorated as she was academically, she was incredibly modest. A day before her GCSE exam results came out, she said, ‘mum, please don’t expect too much, especially history.’

“She ended up getting 99 percent for history, along with nine A*s and one A from maths taken a year early.”

Her mother continued, “Olivia’s insatiable curiosity opened the door to learning beyond what classrooms could supply.

“Having visited more than 20 countries, it goes without saying she loved travelling.

“The world was another classroom, and seeing the various cultures gave her a deep appreciation for diversity. It was her belief that all people deserved respect, all opinions had merit.”

A week before her death – on June 22, 2019 – Olivia spoke as Head Girl at her school Roedean Moira House.

She said, “Our time on here is short, but it is only short if we don’t see each new day as a new opportunity, and always seek growth in everything we do.”

Her mother described her words as ‘wise beyond her years’.

In a moving statement after her death, Roedean Moira House (RMH) said, “She was a popular and cherished member of our community.

“It is hard to put into words what a senseless and tragic loss this is.

“Olivia contributed to life at RMH so strongly - as a School Knight, academically, and – most importantly – as a friend to so many of us.”

Olivia was crossing a road on foot with her mother when she was hit by a motorbike travelling more than 70mph, an inquest heard on Thursday (July 30).

She died of multiple injuries after the collision in the Galatas area of the Greek island on June 22, 2019.

The motorcyclist, local man Theodores Marakakis, 30, also died at the scene.

Assistant coroner James Healy-Pratt said – had there been more evidence – he could have deemed it an unlawful killing.

The court in Eastbourne Town Hall heard the motorcyclist had been driving at least 20mph above the speed limit when the incident happened at around 10pm that night.

The 750cc Kawasaki then swerved into the opposite lane and collided with a van.

No toxicology report for the driver was provided with the evidence, so it is not known if there was any alcohol or drugs in his system.

The coroner said it was ‘regrettable’ that not enough evidence had been provided by the Crete authorities.

“It’s fair to say if this had happened here we would have had considerably more information,” he said.

“The young lady was with her mother and was crossing a road where there was street lighting, when she was hit at an excessive speed by a motorcycle, inflicting terrible injuries on her that she subsequently died of.

“The motorcyclist himself tragically lost his life.

“He failed to see or stop for her. It may well have been a conclusion of unlawful killing, but I don’t think the evidence is sufficient to justify that conclusion here today.”

Mr Healy-Pratt concluded an accidental death and conveyed his sincerest condolences to Olivia Chung’s family.

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