Mourners from a wide spectrum of life gathered together to pay their respects to three members of the same family who were killed in an appalling road accident.

The congregation contained relatives and friends of 37-year-old Sandra Jennings, from York, and her sister and brother-in-law Colin and Karen McCutcheon, from Aberdeen.

They all died in a crash on the A1 near Dishforth, which also claimed the lives of three "good Samaritans" who were hit by a lorry after stopping to help.

The father of Sandra and Karen, Barry Jennings, of Bramhope, Leeds, survived the crash and arrived at All Saints' Church, Otley, wearing a plaster cast on his arm and dressings over other injuries. Despite arriving in a wheelchair, he was helped to his feet once inside to walk the distance to his seat at the front of the church, where the three coffins stood.

Reverend Graham Buttanshaw, vicar of Otley, told those assembled: "Today is a bitter day full of all kinds of strong emotions - deep sadness and the aching pain of grief, emptiness, confusion and anger.

"Strong emotions - words themselves are inadequate."

Rev David Robinson, Vicar of Bramhope, then went on to describe the three people, who, along with Mr Jennings, had been travelling home from Richmond when the tragedy happened.

Colin was the eldest son in a large extended family. He was an engineer and enjoyed sports and the outdoor life with his wife Karen. Both were described as quiet by temperament and very much in love.

Sandra, on the other hand, who lived in Huntington Road, York, was the younger and noisier sister. She was an art therapist working at York Family Centre, where her caring approach was highly valued.

James Barclay, a colleague, said: "People often talked about her love of the colour purple, her long blonde hair and her smile - she had a marvellous set of teeth. People talked about Sandy's sense of fun, and of her love of gardening and red wine - sometimes too much. But she brought a great deal of love and joy to her friends.

"Sandy had understanding qualities. She was an art therapist. She was very, very creative, artistic and musical. She was gentle and supportive, and these were qualities which carried over in to her work at the Heworth Family Centre. She was someone who could help people make connections with each other."

Sandra also had a love of dogs and a collection plate was there for the RSPCA. She was very musical and sang and composed music for two choirs.

During the last few months of her life times had been hard after the death of her mother but her strength of spirit shone through.

James then read a message written by a five-year-old boy Sandra had worked with at the family centre.

"Sandra, hopefully I'll see you in the next world with God, love Max"

rebecca.gilbert@ycp.co.uk