A LOVING widower who was at his wife’s side as she died after a car crash praised her kindness and beauty.

Mother-of-two Ruth Hodgson, of Highland Croft, Beckenham, was killed when the car she was driving was involved in a collision with two other cars travelling in the opposite direction.

Kenneth Hodgson, 42, forced open the door of her shattered car so that he could hold his wife but she died before an ambulance arrived.

Their four-year-old son Tobias, who was in the back seat, survived the crash, which happened on June 11, with only a bruise under his arm.

Kenneth, who was driving the car in front with their daughter Jessica in the back seat, said: "The love that was inside her shone like a beacon and everyone who came into contact with her was touched by it.

"She was beautiful, vibrant, a wonderful mother and a beautiful wife."

The couple, who recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary, were both members of Ichthus Christian Fellowship, through which they met.

Ruth, who was 47, worked as the PA to one of the fellowship’s founders and leaders, Faith Forster.

Kenneth said: "The first time I saw her, at an evening service, I was absolutely smitten. We fell in love at summer camp in East Sussex and went out for about a year, getting to know each other.

"Then I proposed under the apple tree in my parents’ garden, which was in full bloom."

Tobias and seven-year-old Jessica are staying with grandparents in Beckenham, to help them come to terms with losing their mother.

Her dad said: "Jessica will be playing in the garden and then she’ll see some flowers and her face just drops. It has been a very hard and difficult week."

The accident happened on the A303 in Wiltshire, near Chicklade Bottom. Ruth suffered serious chest injuries and stopped breathing about five minutes before an ambulance arrived at the scene.

Ruth was a keen singer and dancer, performing with The Studio Singers in Beckenham.

Her funeral will take place at the same church where she was married, St Pauls Church, Brackley Road, Beckenham.

An inquest was opened and adjourned last week.