A crash in Chester left three siblings injured and claimed the life of their grandmother, just hours after the death of their father.

On Friday 10 July, Carol Tinsley, 70, was driving her late son's three children to hospital to identify his body when they were involved in a crash in Chester.

Earlier that evening, Andrew Tinsley, 46, was found in a river near Llangollen and later died in hospital.

Hours later, at about 11.30pm, Carol and Andrew's three children, aged 21, 20 and 17, were involved in a collision on Parkgate Road in Chester.

Carol was killed at the scene, whilst her grandchildren suffered injuries including broken ribs, a fractured pelvis and a ruptured spleen.

Now, relative Derrie Tinsley is raising money to support Andrew's children and help pay for a joint funeral for him and Carol.

Derrie said she was on the phone to one of her cousins when the crash happened and later learned her grandmother had died.

"My cousins have struggled - they don't know how to process it," she said.

"We've never really experienced a big death in the family and we've never had to plan or pay for a funeral before. My cousins are all at home now recovering.

"The news was devastating. We were so shocked. It has really impacted the family. Everyone who knew Andrew loved him and his kids were his world."

She described Carol as "witty", and "laughing all the time", adding: "She never had a bad word to say about anyone."

The circumstances surrounding both deaths are currently being investigated by police.

Derrie said she learned Andrew had died at about 10.30pm, before finding out Carol had died an hour later.

"We're still in shock and taking it one day at a time," she said. "I was on the phone to my oldest cousin and I heard a faint scream and some rumble sounds.

"Then it all went quiet, I was shouting 'hello? hello?' but I thought maybe they lost signal going through a tunnel.

"Later my cousin called me back and a paramedic told me they had been in a crash and were all on their way to different hospitals."

Andrew's children, who do not wish to be named, suffered a range of injuries including whiplash and broken bones.

Paying tribute to Andrew, Derrie added: "He was really close with his children.

"He was really sporty, always in the boxing gym, and he was always out and about. He had a bubbly personality and talked to anyone."

The family are now hoping to raise as much as possible to help cover the cost of a joint funeral and ease financial pressure on Andrew's children.

"They don't have much left behind and shouldn't be worrying about costs," Derrie added.

"As a family now we're just trying to stick together and help each other as best we can."

A fundraising page has been set up to help the family with funeral costs and support Andrew's children. You can find it here.

Anyone with information about the Chester crash is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via their website, quoting reference IML-2370499.