The grieving boyfriend of YouTube star Emily Hartridge has revealed his partner was en route to a fertility clinic scan when she was killed in a crash on the e-scooter he had given her as a birthday present.
Jacob Hazell, 28, has said that he and the 35-year-old – who he described as the ‘most beautiful woman in the world’ – were hooked with excitement as they planned for a baby and that everything in their lives was ‘going right’.
But in a heart-wrenching interview, he recalled his creeping sense of dread when the clinic said Ms Hartridge had failed to turn up to the appointment.
And he revealed that this anxiety then turned into devastation after stumbling across the news that his girlfriend had died in a collision with a lorry in Battersea on Friday 12.
YouTube star Emily Hartridge, 35, lost her life nine days ago in a collision with a lorry as she circled the roundabout while riding an e-scooter bought for her by her boyfriend Jacob Hazell, 28, as a birthday present less than a week before
Mr Hazell has said that he and the 35-year-old – who he described as the ‘most beautiful woman in the world’ – were hooked with excitement as they planned for a baby and that she was on her way to a fertility clinic when she was killed
The social media star’s tragic death is thought to be the first involving an e-scooter, but mourning Mr Hazell does not believe the vehicles should be banned
‘I am devastated. I got up first to leave home at 5am. I gave her a kiss on the lips. She was half asleep and mumbled, ‘I love you’. I’m so pleased I did that,’ Mr Hazell told the Sun.
In her YouTube vlogs, Ms Hartridge would often speak candidly about her and Mr Hazell’s parenthood plans and had previously revealed she was getting her eggs frozen.
However, as Ms Hartridge was on her way to the take the next steps towards pregnancy, she was tragically killed on a roundabout in what is believed to be the UK’s first ever e-scooter accident.
And although Mr Hazell is still raw from the horrific crash and in mourning, he has revealed that some people have blamed him for his girlfriend’s death.
The personal trainer said: ‘People have told me I’m to blame because I bought it for her, but I can’t think that. Her family have told me I’m not.’
Mr Hazell said that when he first presented Ms Hartridge with the vehicle she was ‘over the moon’ but ‘knew the risks’ and would always wear a helmet.
Emily with her boyfriend Jacob Hazell. She wrote about him in May saying: ‘Jake is incredible and I feel beyond grateful to have him in my life’
He also said he does not think the vehicles should be banned, despite the accident leaving a ‘hole’ in his life.
He said: ‘We had just moved in together and were planning a family. I’m heartbroken she has gone…
‘I don’t think they should be banned for adults, as they are electric, go a maximum of 20mph and don’t do any harm to the environment.’
In an emotional video posted on Instagram last week, Mr Hartridge paid tribute to his late partner and thanked fans for their support.
The 28-year-old fights back tears as he says: ‘I know Emily was the person who encouraged me to talk about how I was feeling I just want to put a video out here to say thank you and let people know I’m okay.
‘I love you all and I love Emily and I appreciate the support, so thank you.’
In a recent online post, Ms Hartridge gushed she and Mr Hazell were hoping to start a family together, adding: ‘Jake is incredible and I feel beyond grateful to have him in my life.’
Jacob Hazell, 28, has taken to Instagram today to pay tribute to his late partner Emily Hartridge
The presenter was killed after the e-scooter she was riding was involved in a collision with a HGV in Battersea, south west London on Friday morning (pictured, the scene of the crash)
In the video Mr Hartridge adds: ‘I am fine and I just want to say thank you for all the nice messages.’
Footage has since re-emerged of Ms Hartridge bringing together her family and friends for the Channel 4 series, ‘Oh S***, I’m 30’, which aired in 2016.
The TV presenter was described as ‘one of a kind’ during a mock funeral service she hosted for a TV show three years before she was tragically killed.
In the show, Ms Hartridge is described as a young woman who is single, has no career path and living in her overdraft.
As a way of trying to deal with her ‘quarter-life crisis’ and insecurities, Ms Hartridge hosted her own memorial service to hear what others had to say about her.
Her younger sister, Jessica, is seen overcome with emotion as she gushed about her beloved sibling.
She said: ‘She’s always been very special, even at a young age. Whenever I watch our family video back she’s always bouncing around trying to get everyone’s attention.
‘If anyone asks me to sum Emily up in one word, I would always say kind. And that is why I love her so much. There really is no one like my sister, she really is one of a kind and I wouldn’t have her any other way.’
Emily Hartridge hosted her own mock funeral for a Channel 4 show which aired in 2016
Family and friends paid tribute to Emily in the memorial service for TV show, ‘Oh S***, I’m 30’
The fake funeral was held three years before Emily’s tragic death on an electric scooter
Emily is seen overcome with emotion as her sister gushes about her during the service
Goosebumps: Emily confesses that hearing others talk lovingly about her was very touching
Ms Hartridge confessed that at age 30, she isn’t entirely happy with her life and said: ‘I don’t hate myself but it’s not like I wake up and think ‘I love me’.
‘I do feel like I live life in a lot of fear, I wish I could handle stress a lot better. I really want to be one of those positive people, but I’m just really pessimistic.’
‘That made me feel so nice, literally my hairs were standing up on end from that. I do waste a lot of time worrying about things that I have no control over.
‘Even though I am single at 30, I have really nice people in my life that really care about me,’ she adds.
YouTube star Emily Hartridge was killed in a tragic accident on Friday, her Instagram reports
Emily Hartridge (pictured) regularly attracted more than three million viewers a month on her YouTube channel. She also has more than 40,000 followers on Instagram
Five years on, Ms Hartridge’s professional and personal life were both on the up. She attracted more than 340,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, where she would post an episode of her show, 10 Reasons Why… every Monday, and boasted more than 40,000 followers on Instagram.
In recent years she had interviewed the likes of Russell Brand, Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne, as well as hosting Virgin Media’s first YouTube Channel, The Snap.
A police officer gathers a helmet and places it in an evidence bag close to the scene where Emily Hartridge died on Friday morning
The crash happened at Queen’s Circus roundabout, which has been the scene of other fatal incidents involving trucks and vulnerable road users
Emily Hartridge’s death was announced on her Instagram page, in a post saying ‘she had touched so many lives’
On Wednesday, Emily Hartridge posted a video about the benefits of dating a younger man
A message posted on her Instagram page announced the news to her thousands of fans
Davina McCall led tributes to the young presenter. She wrote: ‘My heart goes out to Emily’s family and friends. Such a shock. Sending you love and prayers.’
Davina McCall led tributes to the YouTube star. She wrote: ‘My heart goes out to Emily’s family and friends. Such a shock. Sending you love and prayers’
BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Stark tweeted: ‘Really sad to hear the news about Emily Hartridge. She was such a top girl, so talented and a heart of gold’
Her tragic death was announced on the 35-year-old social media star’s Instagram account on Saturday.
A message posted said: ‘Hi everyone. This is a horrible thing to have to say over Instagram but we know many of you were expecting to see Emily today and this is the only way to contact you all at once.
‘Emily was involved in an accident yesterday and passed away. We all loved her to bits and she will never be forgotten.
‘She has touched so many lives it’s hard to imaging things without her.
‘She was a very special person.’
Television personality Calum Best – son of footballer George Best – wrote: ‘Jesus Christ no way this is so sad I’m so sorry.’
Instagram influencer Maddie Bruce also paid tribute, saying: ‘I honestly can’t believe this.
‘Sending her friends and family so much love I absolutely loved Emily’s account it was so full of light and positivity.’
Television presenter Zoe Hardman said: ‘Absolutely devastating news. Finding it so hard to understand how this could happened.
‘All my thoughts are with her family.’
BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Stark tweeted: ‘Really sad to hear the news about Emily Hartridge. She was such a top girl, so talented and a heart of gold.
‘Just makes you remember to live every day like your last. Thinking of her close friends and family with this tragic news. RIP Emily.’
Ms Hartridge had more than 340,000 YouTube subscribers to her channel and a big presence on Twitter and Instagram
Television presenter Zoe Hardman wrote: ‘Absolutely devastating news. Finding it so hard to understand how this could have happened. All my thoughts are with her family’
In a recent Instagram post, Ms Hartridge celebrated Pride in London. She is pictured alongside her friends on Saturday, July 6