A GRIEVING father-of-two has described how a family holiday in York ended in tragedy when his wife was killed in a car crash as they travelled home.

Neville Clay, who was towing their caravan, said the last time he saw his wife alive was when she waved at him while overtaking in a separate car with his 15-year-old daughter, Laura.

Minutes later, the 45-year-old received a frantic call from Laura who said: “We have crashed. We have crashed, Dad. Help us.”

Mr Clay arrived to find his 42-year-old wife, Margaret – who hours earlier had been excitedly shopping for a suit for a new job – had died instantly in a collision with an articulated lorry and trailer parked in a layby.

The black Vauxhall Corsa left the road, for reasons yet to be established, about half-a-mile from Ron Perry’s Garage on the A19 northbound carriageway, near Hartlepool, at about 3pm on Sunday.

Laura was treated for cuts and bruises at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, while the 57-year-old occupant of the lorry was unhurt.

Speaking at his home in South Hetton, County Durham, Mr Clay said: “She was everything to us. She was a lovely person who was liked by everyone.”

Mr Clay said he and their 12-year-old daughter, Hannah, had gone to a campsite on the River Ouse, at Acaster Malbis, south of York, last Wednesday night.

He said: “My wife had to stay behind as she was starting her new job on Friday and Laura had to do a revision exercise for exams. Both came down to join us at teatime on Friday.”

Mr Clay said his wife had recently got a job working for a child psychologist in Bishop Auckland.

He said: “She was so excited, having come from her first day at work. We went out to York earlier on Sunday to get her a new suit for her new job. We had a lovely weekend.”

If you witnessed the accident, phone PC John Roberts on 01642 326326.