THE tragic death of a young mother who fell from a moving taxi just yards from her front door will give other people the gift of life.

Katie Bennett, 22, who suffered severe head injuries while returning home from a night out, was an organ donor who carried the donor card.

Her family paid tribute to 'a kind-hearted, fun-loving, popular girl' and described her death as 'meaningless'.

Katie, originally from Manchester and a former Droylsden High School pupil, had been on a night out with five friends in Stoke-on-Trent.

It is understood she moved to Newchapel, Staffordshire, about a year ago and lived there with her with her mother, three sisters and two-year-old daughter Mia. Her father still lives in Tameside.

While Katie was returning home with some friends, it is believed there was a disagreement with the taxi driver about the fare.

The others got out but the driver drove off with Katie still on board.

It is unclear whether she was trying to get out of the vehicle or leap from it when she fell.

Police have carried out house-to-house inquires and are checking through CCTV footage taken from near the scene.

Officers arrested the 30-year-old taxi driver, who was later released on bail.

A statement released by Katie's family said: "Katie was taken from her family and her two-year-old daughter in a meaningless way that should never, ever have happened.

"Katie was a kind-hearted, fun-loving, popular girl who will be sadly missed by all.

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"We are all left now to raise her daughter and hopefully make Katie very proud.

"Unfortunately, Katie will miss out on the simple parts of her daughter's life - her first day at school, her first friend, nativity plays, and the important times - her first boyfriend, marriage, children.

"All of this for an incident that should not have happened.

"We would like to thank all the staff at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, organ donor organisations and also the police, who have worked quickly and with compassion."

A growing number of tributes have been left at the scene.

Attached to one of the bouquets was a note which read: "Katie. So young, so sweet, so precious. Words will never ever say how much that you will be missed."

A card, containing a poem written by a friend, had also been tied to a lamppost at the scene of the tragedy.

The card, signed by Fizz, contained a personal tribute which read: "Kate, you were like a sister to me.

"I can't believe this has happened... I wish I could have done more to help you.

"I feel I've let you down. You have always been the one to help me through hard times.

"I don't know how I will cope without you.

"I am so sorry that this had to happen, the only bit of comfort is knowing that you are in a better place, where no-one can hurt you anymore."

Online tributes have been paid in a dedicated group set up on the social networking website Facebook.