A NORTH-EAST airman who was due to marry his American sweetheart died two days before the wedding following a crash.

Kristoffer Tott was seriously injured when his Honda car was in an accident with two lorries, near Newmarket.

The RAF technician was taken to hospital in Cambridge with head injuries but never regained consciousnesss and died on Thursday.

Mr Tott, 22, had been due to marry US airwoman Blair Anderson, of Houston, Texas, on Saturday at Rushpool Hall, Saltburn, Cleveland.

His parents Wendy and Alan Tott, of Hartburn, Stockton, Teesside, were too distraught to comment yesterday, but a member of his family said: "Blair and the whole family are absolutely devastated. He was a very special lad.

"For something like this to happen so close to his wedding is unbelievable.

"He has so many relatives up here on Teesside who are deeply shocked."

Mr Tott and Ms Anderson met in February last year through their work in supply and logisitics at the American Air Force base at RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, while he was on a posting there from RAF Cottesmore.

Group Captain Andy Golledge, Station Commander of RAF Cottesmore, said: "Personnel were extremely saddened to learn of the death of Senior Aircraftsman Kristoffer Tott.

"He was a committed and popular serviceman who was highly regarded by his squadron colleagues and across the unit.

"He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him and our thoughts and prayers are very much with his family and friends."

Inspector Tony Woodward, of Suffolk Police, said: "Initial reports to the police indicate that Mr Tott's vehicle may have been hit from behind by one of the lorries."

* Dutch lorry driver, Huwig Ouwehand, 51, of Katwijk, Holland, has been charged with careless driving, failing to stop after an accident and tachograph offences in connection with the accident.