A scientist who helped steer Britain through the Covid crisis has been remembered by her family as “the loveliest, kindest person who always inspired and cared for others” after she died in a cycling crash in Italy.

Susannah Boddie, 27, was the lead health data scientist at No 10 Downing Street.

Ms Boddie, of Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, suffered fatal injuries after being thrown from her bike as she descended a steep downhill trail on a woodland path on the Brescia side of Lake Garda on Saturday morning, the Daily Mail reported.

A statement from Ms Boddie’s family, who asked for privacy at this time, recalled her vibrancy and the affection with which she was held by her family and friends.

It read: “Susannah lived life to the full and had achieved so much in her short life.

“She crammed more into her life than you would have thought possible.