NEVER before did a holiday postcard hold so much heartbreak as it does for the parents of tragic Rachel Wright.

The cheerful greeting from sunny Florida came through the door of Dave and Cath Leadbitter's home in Anchorsholme, Cleveleys, just 24 hours after they were told their only daughter had been killed in a car accident thousands of miles away.

Now, just days before her funeral, the heartbroken father of the 24-year-old has spoken for the first time about how he and his wife are coping with the tragedy.

Rachel's husband of just 16 months, Alex, 26, was badly injured in the smash and only learnt of his young wife's death two weeks ago.

He is now recovering at the Knuzden, Hyndburn, home of his parents, Ken and Eunice, and is struggling to come to terms with Rachel's death.

He is not yet ready to return to the home he shared with Rachel in Paddock Street, Oswaldtwistle.

Dave, who moved to Cleveleys six months ago, said: "We are finding it very difficult to grieve for Rachel because we can't see her.

"The undertakers have advised us to remember her as she was and that it would be too distressing. But it feels like she has just disappeared.

"She was so organised. She had sent the postcard on the first day of her holiday to make sure it arrived in time. It came through our door the day after police told us she had died.

"Since then, our lives have been a nightmare. We feel like we have been floating, in limbo. We couldn't give Rachel a proper funeral until this Friday (February 21), six weeks after the accident."

He added: "Although Cath and I moved to Cleveleys six months ago, I still have a window-cleaning round in Oswaldtwistle and went back to work for a day earlier this week.

"But it was too difficult. Everyone in Oswaldtwistle knows Alex and Rachel and wherever I went, people were giving me their condolences. There was no hiding place and I couldn't cope.

"I expect the church will be overflowing on Friday, Rachel was a very popular girl." Friends and family have helped Dave and Cath get through the difficult six weeks.

"You really know who your friends are at times like this," said Dave. "Everyone has been wonderful."

"It's such a terrible loss. Rachel and Alex were married such a short time - it was like they were still on their honeymoon. They were meant for each other and all Alex can say now is that he wishes they had gone together.

"Every day, Cath and I keep asking ourselves why it happened. You never think your children will go before you. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."

Rachel's funeral is being held at New Lane Immanuel Church in Oswaldtwistle at 1.30pm. Any donations are going to her favourite charity, the Derian House Appeal.

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