TWO young sweethearts were killed in a festive tragedy when their car was in collision with a lorry.

Stewart Cowan and Karen McEwen, both 24, of Farmlodge Lane, Shrews-bury, died instantly when their Ford Mondeo hit an articulated lorry on the A442 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth road at Shatterford.

Stewart's mother Grace Cowan said the couple were absolutely mad about each other.

She said: "They were such wonderful people and everyone is devastated by what has happened.

"We are having to look for a big church to hold the service in because there are so many people who want to come."

A Stourbridge inquest was told the cause of death in both cases was multiple injuries.

The lorry driver involved in the accident, which happened on Friday, December 21 at 3.30pm, was unhurt but badly shaken.

Firefighters had to cut through the wreckage to recover the bodies.

Sub officer Mick Rowlands, of Kidderminster Fire station, said: "It was one of the worst accidents I have seen.

"They both had terrible injuries."

Police are urging witnesses to the accident to call them on 01562 820888.