Daughter's wedding will still go ahead after death of Andrew Matthews in Foxhills car park accident

A bride-to-be whose father was killed in a crash in a Scunthorpe car park has bravely vowed to go ahead with her wedding.

Andrew James Matthews, 51, of Fairmont Crescent, Scunthorpe died in an accident when his Seat Leon came into contact with what is thought to be a barrier or gate at the car park of the Foxhills sports ground in Scunthorpe.

His distraught daughter Rebecca is due to get married to fiance Chris Willing on September 15 – and her father had been due to walk her down the aisle.

But despite still coming to terms with the tragedy that has taken away Mr Matthews, the family say the wedding must still go ahead.

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Rebecca said: "I am devastated that he is gone. Things won't be the same without him."

His wife of 27 years, Vicki Matthews, said her steelworker husband was a very caring and loving man who would not have wanted the wedding to be cancelled.

Mrs Matthews said: "We are still going ahead with the wedding as it would have been what Andy wanted.

"It will be a very emotional day but we are determined to make it special for Rebecca, and her brother Scott will be giving his sister away instead.

"Andy had been working hard, saving money for the wedding since Rebecca got engaged in April last year.

"He was very proud of her and was looking forward to the wedding."

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of Mr Matthews.

An official working for the coroner's office in Cleethorpes said he had died of head injuries.

Flowers were placed at the scene by well-wishers in the wake of the crash, which happened on the night of Wednesday, August 29.

Glenn Smith, shift leader at the Scunthorpe steel plant at Tata Steel where Andrew worked as a crane driver, said: "Andrew will be badly missed by friends and colleagues across the works.

"He joined us in the steel plant after working in the Heavy Section Mill.

"He had more than 30 years' experience on the works and when he spoke up about things, people listened to him.

"He wasn't the biggest guy in the world, but he had an 8ft tall personality. His family meant everything to him and our heartfelt sympathies go out to all his family and friends."

An official at North Lincolnshire Council, the authority which owns the site where the accident occurred, said that Crosby United Junior Football Club is responsible for the management and operation of the site.

"We can't comment while the police investigation is ongoing," the official said.

A club spokeswoman said: "We are all very shocked and send our condolences to the family."

Police have spoken to a number of people who were in the area at the time of the incident, and are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call Humberside Police on 101, quoting log 586 of August 29.