ABU DHABI // The body of the Lebanese/American teenager who died on Saturday when her Lamborghini overturned on Defence Road and caught fire has been flown back to Lebanon.
Aya Hadir Ghais, 19, was driving alone on the bridge to Al Reem Island when her sports car hit a kerb.
Capt Abdullah Al Tamimi, the head of customer service and public relations at Abu Dhabi Civil Defence, said he suspected speed was a factor.
Friends placed flowers at the scene of the crash yesterday, and nearly 300 people posted photos and messages on an online memorial for Mrs Ghais, who was a student at Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi studying law and economics.
"Aya was a sister to me, one of my best friends, and a human being beautiful in every sense," said Samar Abultaif.
"Everyone who knew her was mesmerised by her intellect, beauty and modesty ... this is a big and lamentable loss. She left an aching heart inside of all of us."
Mrs Ghais had been studying at Sorbonne for more than a year, said Dr Fabien Chareix, the deputy vice chancellor of academic affairs. She started her undergraduate studies in the departments of law and economics this autumn.
"The students are sad, the professors are sad, everyone is just so sad," he said. "She was one of the most serious and focused students.
"Some students keep quiet and don't make themselves known, but she was a pleasure to have in class."
Classmates also created memorial messages to be sent to Mrs Ghais's family.
Dana Boufakhreldin went to school with Mrs Ghais in Lebanon and said the teenager was "a very, very happy person".
"Her death was a shock to everyone," she said. "This incident was just unexpected. She was loved by everyone. She was an angel on Earth and now she's an angel in Heaven."
A memorial is planned for today at noon in the Sorbonne auditorium.
