Charity stalwart is killed in crash

Bawtry Hall Conference Centre's conference co-ordinator Andrea Fairchild, aged 45, suffered multiple injuries in a three-car collision on the A614 between Blyth and Bawtry.

She leaves a husband, Dave, and three daughters,

She was a passenger in a silver Suzuki Swift which was driven by her mother's 75-year-old partner, Joe Foote, who was attempting to turn right into Snape Lane when his car was in collision with a red Peugeot 306 coming from the opposite direction.

The Swift then struck a black Ford Mondeo, which was in Snape Lane waiting to turn right onto the A614.

Mrs Fairchild, of Thorne Road, Bawtry, was a front seat passenger and was pronounced dead two hours after the collision happened at 5.15pm on Friday. Mr Foote also suffered multiple injuries and was taken to Bassetlaw Hospital. He is said to be in a "stable" condition. Four other people in the two other vehicles escaped unhurt, say police.

Mrs Fairchild was an active member of St Nicholas Church, Bawtry, and Austerfield Women's Institute and the Ladies' Fresh Start. For the past two years she had taken part in the London Moon Walk to raise cash for Breast Cancer Research.

Before joining Bawtry Hall six years ago as a receptionist she worked as a dinner lady at Hayfield School, Auckley.

Bawtry Hall director Nigel Spencer said: "Her friendly face and genuine, natural approach with everybody she met meant she was quickly accepted as a vital member of the team and was soon promoted to the position of conference co-ordinator.

"Andrea's face became the face of Bawtry Hall and her lovely gentle voice sparkled with fun as she answered the phone day by day. Andrea will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues alike."

Andrea had been planning a visit to Romania in October with Helen Spencer, a co-worker at Bawtry Hall to help disadvantaged and at-risk young mums at the River of Life home near Timisoara.

The Nottinghamshire Coroner is expected to open an inquest on Friday and police would like witnesses to call them on 0115 9670999.