THE devastated family of a grandmother killed in a horrific head-on crash near Wool have paid tribute to someone who "loved life and lived it in all its fullness."

Barbara Hill-Brown, aged 86, from Swanage, died following the accident on the A352 at Hethfelton on Sunday.

She was front seat passenger in one of the two cars involved. Three other victims continue to be treated in hospital after sustaining serious injuries in the smash.

A statement from Mrs Hill-Brown's family, released yesterday, read: "We are devastated by the tragedy that has overtaken our family as we mourn deeply Barbara Hill-Brown, loving mother to three sons, a devoted grandmother and good friend.

"She was a much loved member of the community in her home town of Swanage since 1947. She loved live and lived it in all its fullness."

The driver of the blue Ford Fiesta car, which Mrs Hill-Brown was travelling in, was a 60-year-old man from Australia. He was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with 'life-changing' spinal injuries, Dorset Police have confirmed.

Meanwhile, the rear seat passenger of the Fiesta, a 51-year-old Swanage man who was airlifted to hospital with serious life-changing and critical injuries, is now out of immediate danger.

Police confirm the 36-year-old driver of the white Hyundia car, a man from Wareham, also suffered serious injuries and remains in Poole Hospital.

The family statement continued: "We want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the many good people who have and are supporting us as a family while we work through these tragic circumstances, especially the members of the emergency services who wer eat the scene, Dorset Police family liaison officers, and the nursing and medical staff - both at Poole and Southampton hospitals.

Police Sergeant Nikki Burt, of Dorset Police's Traffic Unit, said: "I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or either vehicle being driven prior to the incident to please call me on 101."

The accident happened around 2.15pm, Sunday, August 16, on the A352.