A COUPLE died in a three car-pile up during a holiday visit to their son.

Tom and Dorothy Bolton, of Blackburn Road, Ribchester, were driving on the busy A30 at Tedburn St Mary, near Exeter, Devon, in their silver Vauxhall Cavalier when the accident happened.

The couple were visiting their son Andrew, who had moved to the Exeter area a fortnight ago to begin work as a chef.

Mrs Bolton's brother Fred Fry, of Sunnyside Avenue, Ribchester, said: "We really don't know what happened.

"We had a phone call and have heard reports on the radio. The family is trying to come to terms with what has happened.

"The coroner will be holding an inquest to find out what happened." A neighbour said Mr and Mrs Bolton, had been due to spend a few days at their caravan in the North of England, but changed their plans.

Today the village was still coming to terms with the shock. A neighbour said: "It is tragic that they have been killed.

"They have lived here for years. Their daughter, Shirley, came to tell us what had happened, everyone is very upset."

Mr Bolton retired last year from his job at the nearby Bannister's Mill where he had worked all his adult life.

A spokesman for Exeter police said an investigation was under way into the cause of the accident which involved the couple's car and two Ford Fiestas.

Another driver suffered minor injuries and a third escaped unhurt following the accident.

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