Father tells of agony after Chollerford crash tragedy

Last night Mr Washington paid an emotional tribute to his wife, a staff nurse at Hexham General Hospital, and Katie, a pupil at the Percy Hedley Special School.

He spoke of his happy marriage and described he and Susan as being "madly in love".

"I cannot write sufficient words to describe how I feel about losing Susan in this, our 25th wedding anniversary year. I have always told everybody, including Susan, how happily married I am. Susan would always joke 'yes you should be happy with me running round after you'. We are madly, deeply in love, and if you knew Susan you would understand why.

"She was a real old-fashioned kind of nurse who could not do enough for people in her care.

"This extended to her friends and family, although I have to say immediate family members would get little sympathy if they were ill or injured."

Mr Washington said Katie never allowed her speech and language difficulties to hold her back.

"Katie was a special girl in so many ways. She could cause uncontrollable family laughter with an appropriately-timed comment thrown into the conversation.

"Percy Hedley has worked miracles for her and I would like to give special thanks to the staff and pupils. I could not have imagined the progress that she would make across a broad spectrum of skills. The future was bright for Katie, which makes what has happened that little bit more difficult to comprehend."

Mr and Mrs Washington also have a daughter Rachael, 19, who is training to be a nurse, and a son Nathan, 14, a pupil at Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham.

Mr Washington added: "I know how proud Susan and I are of all three of our kids, and I will continue to tell Rachael and Nathan that long into the future."

He recalled the many happy holidays which he and his family have spent together over the years.

He said: "We always thoroughly enjoyed our holidays abroad.

"We had far-flung holidays in Cancun, Mexico, Disneyland Florida and, in 2008, a bit of a blow-out in Hong Kong - where Susan's brother Stuart lives - and the Maldives.

"We had a fantastic time together on our own pile of coral sand for 10 nights.

"We didn't need entertainment; we were just happy relaxing and being together as a family."

Mrs Washington and Katie were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the B6318 last Sunday afternoon.

Police are seeking witnesses and anyone with information should call motor patrols in Hexham on 0345 6043043.