A DEVASTATED father who lost his wife and son in a double tragedy spoke yesterday of his determination to carry on for the sake of his young daughter.

Robert Veitch, 30, saw his son Robert, nine, die after slipping on the path of his home.

His wife Christine, 28, also witnessed the accident and choked on her tongue during a panic attack.

Mr Veitch and daughter Louise, seven, are now facing the new year determined to help each other through their darkest hour.

Mr Veitch, of Sunderland, said yesterday: "I have to live for Louise now. That's my aim, to give her the best life I can.

"It was a very difficult Christmas, but we came through it. I had to let Louise have her Christmas despite what has happened to us.

"I was nearly in tears when I saw Robert's presents lying there. It brought home how much we have lost.

"Louise is coping really well. I took her to the funeral to see her mum and brother going to heaven."

Robert was killed on December 12 after rushing over to give his grandmother Bernadette her Christmas present.

He died of brain haemorrhaging within seconds of the accident in Pennywell, Sunderland.

His mother fell to the ground, swallowing her tongue after witnessing the tragedy.

Her brain was starved of oxygen and she died without regaining consciousness in Sunderland Royal Hospital. Mr Veitch said: "When it happened I didn't know what to do. I was going to tend to Robert and then saw Christine on the ground.

"I can't describe how it felt. It was as though I was floating, and when I was told later exactly what had happened I started crying my eyes out.

"But it is a comfort to know that Robert and Christine are together now.

"I truly believe that if she had come through and been told Robert had died it would have killed her anyway.

"They were always meant to be together."

Both Robert and Christine were big fans of Sunderland Football Club, and will have their ashes scattered on the pitch at the Stadium of Light.

Mr Veitch said: "These have been the hardest days of my life, but Louise and I will come through them because we still have each other."