A police officer on his way to the scene of a crash in which two people were killed was told that his wife was one of the victims.
Melissa Delaney, from Dumfries, Scotland, died when the Nissan Qashqai she was driving was involved in a collision with a Peugeot Boxer van and a Renault Clio.
Her husband – a traffic police officer – was on his way before finding out his wife was involved, it is understood.
Emergency services raced to the site on the A75 just after 6.20am on Tuesday, but nothing could be done to save her.
Ms Delaney and the 35-year-old man driving the van were pronounced dead at the scene.
Tributes have since poured in for nurse, who had been involved with the Dumfries Baton Twirlers (DBT) club for almost 15 years.
The club sent out its ‘heartfelt condolences’ to her family, saying the mother was ‘one of the best supporters to all our members and she was so proud of her two girls’.
Sarah Wilson, who said the victim was her childhood neighbour, called the death ‘horrific’.
‘This news has shattered the lives of so many and goes to show how loved she really was,’ she said.
‘I am left with nothing but happy memories of her and will never forget that neverending smile on her face.’
The families of both victims have been informed, Police Scotland said yesterday.
The identity of the 35-year-old man who died has not been revealed.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash as they continue inquiries.
Road policing Inspector Adnan Alam said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the people who died, and all those involved in the collision.
‘We continue to offer them support as our inquiries progress.’ (Metro)