A QUIET market town was coming to terms with a triple tragedy, today, as it prepared to welcome the Queen for its biggest event in 50 years.

Picturesque Ledbury has been shell-shocked by the deaths of town newsagent Martin McCoig-Lees, his wife Denise and their nine-year-old son Ryan in yesterday's M56 crash tragedy.

The three, whose names had not been released formally as the Evening News went to press, were killed when the minibus taking them to Manchester Airport for a holiday flight was in a collision and somersaulted down the motorway at 5.40am yesterday.

Their other son, 15-year-old Richard, was being treated in hospital.

Four other people were also killed.

The tragedy happened 24 hours before the Herefordshire town was due to welcome its Royal visitors.

The Queen was due to visit Harling Court Residential Home to unveil a plaque and take tea with residents.

n Opinion: P6