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Topics: World News, News, Music
Lucy Devine
One of the stars of The Voice Kids has been killed after she was hit by a car in an alleged hit and run.
Nicole Valeria Vargas Gomez, 19, was on the 2019 version of the show in Columbia, when she was aged just 12.
According to police in the region, Gomez, along with 40-year-old William Andrew Paipa, were crossing a road when a vehicle hit them, throwing them into the air.
Police have since said that the vehicle did not stop and fled the scene of the accident.
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In an official statement, police said: “A traffic accident occurred involving pedestrians being run over by an unidentified vehicle, affecting two individuals who were crossing the road in the restaurant area at El Solar.
“At this time, the individuals can be identified as William Andres Paipa and Nicole Valeria Vargas Gomez.”
The university where Gomez was studying Business Administration, have since released a statement, too.
The University of Quindio wrote: “Nicole was a young woman committed to her academic training and to the cultural life of our alma mater.
“From the classrooms and also from the stages, she left her mark through her discipline, sensitivity, and deep love for art. As a member of Coranto, she always carried the name of the University of Quindio with honour to every meeting and performance.”
On X, they added [translated]: "With profound sorrow, Rector @LuisferPolania, the Directorate of @BienestarINS, other members of the administration, faculty, and students mourn the passing of Nicole Valeria Vargas Gómez and join together in prayer for her eternal rest.
"We offer a prayer that your family and loved ones may find strength and comfort in this difficult moment. May your academic and artistic legacy remain forever in the memory of our university community."
Police are now hunting down the vehicle involved in the crash.
Ever since the tragic news broke, tributes have been flooding in for Gomez and Paipa.
One person wrote on X [translated]: "Strength to your entire family. It hurts a lot when it’s a young person."
While another said: "... Now you will bless all those angels with your voice. Strength to your whole family and peace in your soul."
The news comes after a separate crash in Chile in which four were killed and 17 injured.
In the incident, footage revealed a liquid gas tanker overturned on a motorway in Santiago.
A thick, blanket of smoke could be seen before an explosion could be heard.
At least 50 cars were caught up in the explosion, according to firefighters.
A witness explained that they struggled to rescue people from the devastating incident, telling 24 Horas: “We couldn’t get people out of the cars, but we were able to rescue one or two people who were burned on the pavement."