THE family of brother and sister Karl Bowes and Kelly McKie, who died after their car hit barriers while travelling the wrong way along a road, have spoken of their grief at the double tragedy.

Their mother, Kathleen McKie, said: "It is hard for a parent to cope with the death of a child. It is unbearable to face the death of two children, particularly like this."

Karl, 30, and barmaid Kelly, 19, were returning from a 21st birthday party at Tall Trees, Yarm, when the blue Fiat car they were travelling in drove the wrong way up the southbound carriageway of the A19 flyover between Middlesbrough and Stockton while it was closed for repairs.

They died instantly when the car smashed into barriers, sending debris and wreckage hundreds of feet up the road.

A third passenger, Adam Clayton, 19, had a miraculous escape and suffered just a broken leg. He is still recovering in Middlesbrough General Hospital.

Kelly, of Roseworth, Stockton, and her mother had planned to move in with factory worker Karl at his home in Norton, Stockton.

"We had plans and dreams. We were going to live together as one family. Now I only have memories," said a distraught Mrs McKie.

"Both had a love of life and a big circle of friends. Both had their whole lives in front of them and when they were together the house was filled with music, fun and laughter."

She said the family was deeply traumatised by the tragedy and was finding it difficult to come to terms with.

The car struck a safety barrier with such force that it split open. The impact was described by a senior fire officer as the worst he had seen.

Sgt Nick Walker, of Cleveland Police road policing unit, who is leading the investigation into the accident, said: "Their mother has said that theirs is a very close family and the deaths of Karl and Kelly have left everyone traumatised."

Anyone with information on the crash, which happened at about 2.45am on Sunday, should call Stockton police on (01642) 326326.