TWO children airlifted to hospital following a fatal head-on collision involving a fire engine remain in a stable condition.

The youngsters, Niamh, 11 and Kieran, 14, are the children of head teacher, Ally Mullany, who died in the accident on Sunday morning.

Niamh attends Lytchett Matravers Primary, where her elder brother was also a pupil. Their father Brendan is chairman of governors at the school, and Ally was on the PTA.

Head teacher Simon France said they were “devastated” by the news, and had spoken to pupils about what had happened and were supporting Niamh’s friends and classmates.

He said: “We just haven’t got words to express how sad we are for what has happened. They are a lovely family and Ally was a lovely lady. Tragic doesn’t begin to cover it.”

Mrs Mullany, 50, was driving a red Mini when it was in collision with the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service fire engine, that was responding to another fatal accident reported minutes earlier.

The head of St Joseph’s Catholic Combined School in Parkstone was pronounced dead at the scene.

Inspector Matt Butler, of the Dorset Police Traffic Unit, confirmed: “A Dorset Fire and Rescue Service fire appliance and a red Mini were involved in a head-on collision on the B3075 not far from Morden Park Corner.

“The fire engine was being driven in emergency response mode with blue lights to another collision, a road death that had occurred nearby.”

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service will cooperate fully with the police investigation, says County Fire Chief Darran Gunter.

He said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those involved in this tragic accident.

“Dorset Police will be conducting a full investigation into this incident and we will assist them wherever we can.

A man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene of the first accident, that unfolded on the A35 near Morden Park Corner at 7.50am. The car he was travelling in struck a tree. Inspector Butler said: “Officers from the Dorset Police Traffic Unit are investigating the cause of both collisions and are asking any witnesses to contact us on the normal number 101. I am particularly keen to speak to a horse rider who was passed by the fire engine prior to the collision.”