Three men who died when 32-tonne tipper truck smashed into their vehicle named by police
THREE men killed when a 32-tonne tipper truck careered out of control down a hill and smashed into their car have been named by police today.
Robert Parker, 59, from Cwmbran, and Philip Allen, 52, and Stephen Vaughan, 34, both from Swansea, died during the tragedy in Bath, Somerset on Monday.
Four-year-old Mitzi Rosanna Steady, from Bath, also suffered fatal injures as she was hit by the truck as she walked down the road with her grandmother.
The woman, who has not been named by police, remains in a critical condition after she was was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
The Scania truck filled with sand and gravel hit little Mitzi and her grandmother before colliding with other cars on the road.
It then overturned a Volvo at the bottom of the hill, and the three men inside were killed instantly.
Sian is totally and utterly devastated. They had not even been married for a year
Tributes have been paid to Mr Vaughan, who ran a luxury taxi firm EliteXecutive Travel and married his fiancee Sian in Turkey last year.
A friend, who did not wish to be named, said: "Sian is totally and utterly devastated.
"They had not even been married for a year.
"Stevie was a dedicated husband and a successful businessman too. It was admirable how he built his business up and made a real go of it too.
"He was always polite and punctual and great at conversation too."
Father-of-two Mr Allen, who lived with his wife Caroline, was a resources and external affairs director for Cardiff-based Western Power Distribution.
Relatives comforting Mrs Allen, 53, said she was too distressed to speak to the media following his death.
On Tuesday around 400 residents in Weston attended an hour-long prayer service for the victims of the truck crash at All Saints church.
Children, parents and grandparents lit candles and used colourful pens to write messages of condolence on white fabric.
Bereavement counselling is being offered to children at Weston All Saints Primary School, some of whom witnessed the collision near their gates.
Books of condolences have been opened in libraries at Bath and Weston, while tribute flowers have been left at a nearby church.
Witnesses have told police the truck driver appeared to be trying to avert an accident and repeatedly sounded his horn.
Avon and Somerset Police have spoken to the driver, who sustained minor injuries, in hospital and will interview him fully at a later stage.
Speaking earlier this week, Chief Inspector Norman Pascal said: "This is a tragic incident in which three men and a young girl have lost their lives and we're carrying out a full and meticulous investigation."
Mitzi's family previously released a photograph of the little girl and a short statement.
They said: "Mitzi Rosanna Steady, aged four, loved and missed by us all."
Staff at Snapdragons Nursery in Weston, which Mitzi attended, said their "hearts go out" to the little girl's family.
They said: "We will always miss her smile and her warmth."
Mother-of-two Katie D'Arcy, who lives locally, said she would often see Mitzi walking on the road with her grandmother.
She said: "She was a gorgeous little girl - it's just unbelievable and it's just so shocking when it is somebody you know."
