The devastated mother of a woman killed in a car crash has spoken of her shock and sorrow after she found out about the accident over the telephone.

Hilary Whitaker, 56, of Malsis Road, Keighley, was in Spain, where she is considering living permanently, when she was contacted by her grandson on Thursday night.

Mrs Whitaker said: "My grandson rang me and asked me to ring his mum, saying Auntie Sharon had been in a car crash.

"At first I didn't believe it could be anything serious. That was about 8.45pm on Thursday."

Mrs Whitaker was later to learn the shocking news that her daughter, Sharon Southgate-Hesling, 37, of Cottingley, had died after her Seat Cordoba car was in collision with a fire engine answering a 999 call on the A650 near Nab Wood Crematorium shortly before 5.30pm on Thursday.

The call turned out to be a false alarm.

Mrs Whitaker had been in Spain since August last year. She had harboured plans to start a new life there after visiting the country several times on holiday.

As soon as she learnt the news of her daughter's death, she immediately arranged to fly back home. She is now staying with friends and helping with funeral arrangements.

Mrs Whitaker paid a warm tribute to her daughter, a mother-of-three who lived in Airedale Avenue, describing her as someone who always put her children first.

She said: "She was a very happy girl.

"She was devoted to and loved her children and did everything she could for them.

"I just can't believe what's happened. We're just trying to come to terms with it at the moment."

Mrs Whitaker says she will return to Spain once the funeral has taken place.

Sharon leaves three children, Gareth, 16, Ben, 14, and Sophie, three.

Sharon was born and raised in Riddlesden, and educated at Swire Smith Middle School and Greenhead College, Keighley. After leaving school, she worked as a machinist until the birth of her eldest son.

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