THE heartbroken boyfriend of a student who died in a horror car crash planned to propose to her on Christmas Eve.

Earlier today, hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects and say a final farewell to Chloe Hipson.
Chloe Hipson’s boyfriend AJ Finlay planned to propose to her on Christmas EveCredit: Facebook

The 21-year-old’s funeral service was held today, with hundreds of mourners turning outCredit: Getty
The 21-year-old, from Bellshill, died alongside four pals in a crash on a winding stretch of road near Dundalk, County Louth in the Republic of Ireland on November 15.

The group were travelling in a Volkswagen Golf when it collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser on the R3168, Ardee Road.

Chloe’s white coffin arrived to the song Angel By The Wings by Sia before being carried in a white horse-drawn carriage which was draped in pink accessories and carried into the chapel as a piper played Amazing Grace.

Floral tributes, spelling out her name as well as ‘daughter’, ‘sister’ and ‘aunt’, sat at the front of the West Chapel in Daldowie Crematorium in Glasgow.

Hundreds turn out wearing pink at funeral of Scots student killed in crash

Her service was attended by so many grieving pals and family that the East Chapel next door had to be opened up to allow people to watch the ceremony on the big screen.

Chloe’s parents Ryan and Toni comforted each other in the front pew, flanked by her brothers Ryan and Tommy who were also distraught.

During the service Rev Peter Davidge said Chloe had “affected so many with the force of her personality and energy and joy”.

Just months before her death, Chloe had moved to Ireland with her beloved Ihasa Apso dog, Poppy, to be with her boyfriend AJ Finlay, who she had met on a girls’ holiday to Ibiza in 2024.

She was studying to be a quantity surveyor at Dundalk Institute of Technology.

Tragically, the service heard how AJ, who was visibly distraught throughout the funeral, had planned to propose to Chloe on Christmas Eve and had already asked for her family’s permission for her hand in marriage.

The reverend revealed Chloe was a keen Rangers fan who had travelled to Seville with her dad Ryan in 2022 to see her side in the Europa League final and growing up was “always seen in a Rangers shirt”.

She was described as a “shy and reserved” child who came out of her shell as she grew up, eventually moving and “making Ireland her home”.

Growing up, Chloe had played football for Hamilton Accies but despite her love for the game, she delighted in being “the only princess” in her family and surrounded herself in all things pink and diamante, “playing football in pink boots and a sparkly hair bow”.

Chloe was described as the most “perfect person in her family”, always keen to resolve conflict and show her love to people.

Chloe’s adventurous spirit saw her travel to many places in her short 21 years and Rev Davidge told the congregation at the time of her death she was “thriving and she was happy – she was not afraid to try new things”.

Rev Davidge paid tribute to the four other victims of the tragic road smash before closing the committal with the Donna Taggart song Jealous of the Angels, telling the service: “We think of Chloe, for always perfect, for always 21.”