A COUPLE killed by timber which fell off a lorry had just dropped off their baby son at a nursery.

Thomas Matts, aged 29, and Terri-Ann Barnett, aged 24, a couple who lived in Broxash Drive, Hereford, were killed when a heavy goods vehicle shed its load of timber building supplies near the railway bridge on Belmont Road at 10.30am on Monday.

The couple had an 18-month-old son, Morgan, and were walking along Belmont Road after dropping him off at his nursery when the incident happened.

Mr Matts was taken to Hereford County Hospital by paramedics, but was declared dead on arrival, while Miss Barnett was taken by air ambulance to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a critical condition, but died on Monday evening.

Mr Matts was in between jobs while Miss Barnett worked at Shoe Zone in Hereford.

Mr Matts was one of six brothers – Mark, Steven, John, Richard and David. His parents are both deceased. Miss Barnett leaves behind two brothers and a sister, and her parents Ralph and Diane.

Speaking on behalf of Miss Barnett's family, Ralph Barnett said: “Terri used to be a real party girl in her day and had lots of friends in Hereford.

“Since Morgan was born she had become an outstanding mother. She and Tom were both besotted with Morgan and were devoted to him. They were lovely parents and were planning on getting married next year.

“Diane feels she has lost a best friend – Terri was helping her cope with some tough times that she had been going through recently.”

Mark Matts, Tom’s eldest brother, said: “We are all in complete shock: this is a tragedy that has left their son as an orphan. Tom was a loving brother and friend who will be sadly missed. He was fun-loving, easy-going and a doting father – he will be seriously missed by everybody.”

Ralph Barnett added: “We would like to thank all those people who tried to help Terri and Tom – from the emergency services and hospital staff to the passers by on Belmont Road who came to their aid.”

The driver of the heavy goods vehicle was arrested on Monday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on police bail while the investigation continues.

• Please leave your tributes below