Funeral for 'devoted mum' killed on level crossing

The funeral has taken place for a "devoted mum" and "adored fiancée" who was killed when a train struck her car on a level crossing.

Kerry Coombes, 33, died on 25 June after the collision on Station Road in Hoghton, Lancashire, at 08:50 BST.

Dozens of mourners were asked to wear football-related clothing, preferably connected to Preston North End, for the service at All Saints Church in Higher Walton with a wreath of the Lostock Hall Junior FC's logo where she coached among the floral tributes.

Announcing the funeral on Facebook, Kerry's mum, Karen Battye-Coombes, thanked everybody "for the lovely kind messages" after her daughter's death.

Paying tribute the family said she was "beautiful inside and out".

"She was kind, generous and full of life," they said.

She was a football coach at Lostock Hall Junior Football Club who loved the game and "lived for her children and her family".

"Our lives will never be the same without her," they added.

Club chairman Darryl Cartwright paid tribute to Kerry who was a player at the before becoming a coach and committee member.

He told BBC North West Tonight she was "bubbly, funny and very loving towards children and young people".

"She'd do anything to help," he said, adding her death was a "great loss" to the club.

A number of people from Darwen FC also attended the service.

General manager Sinead Garvin said Kerry's death was a "massive shock" and the club was "devastated".

"Kerry was a big part of our football club," she said. "She came to every home game and followed us away."

Garvin said Kerry was a "great friend and footballer supporter and a lovely person, adding the whole club "loved her".

Kerry was a "highly respected and dedicated" social worker who "cared deeply about the children she supported", Lancashire County Council said previously.

Jacqui Old, executive director of Education and Children's Services, said: "Kerry brought compassion, professionalism and a strong sense of commitment to her work, and made a real difference to people's lives, .

"She was a valued member of the team and will be greatly missed by her colleagues and by all those who knew her."

The incident involved the Northern Trains 07:51 Colne to Preston service.

An eight-year-old girl in the car was hurt in the incident remains in hospital, British Transport Police said.

No passengers or staff were injured.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said preliminary evidence suggests warning systems did not activate as the train approached.

Network Rail said it was "fully cooperating" with the investigation.

Det Ch Insp Paul Attwell said: "This was a shocking and tragic incident, and our specialist officers will continue to support Kerry's family and friends throughout this ordeal.

"Following our initial enquiries a criminal investigation into the incident has now been launched, and I would ask the public not to speculate on the incident, as further updates will be provided in due course."

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