Mourners pay final respects to grandmother hit by car

Pamela Phinn, 48, of Salisbury Street, South Shields, South Tyneside, died instantly as she walked with her grandchildren, 18-month-old Dean and seven-month-old Mia Phinn, and their mother, Kelly Laws, in Horsley Hill Road, in the town, on May 11.

So many mourners were at South Shields Crematorium that hundreds had to listen to the service on speakers outside the small chapel, which holds 120.

The funeral cortege entered the crematorium to Simon Webb's No Worries.

The Reverend Paul Kennedy, from St Michael and All Angels Church, read the eulogy.

Mr Kennedy said: "This is a tragedy of phenomenal proportions and deeply affected the whole community and left her family devastated.

"Today is a day for her family and friends to pay tribute to her life and reflect on it.

"She lived life with a cheerfulness and a big, open heart. She was a family woman and a faithful friend to many people.

"She adored her family and always spent time with them, and indeed she was with them when she died."

The congregation left to the sound of Puff Daddy's I'll Be Missing You.

After the service, close members of Mrs Phinn's family gathered outside and hugged each other for support.

Well-wishers approached tentatively to offer condolences and read the floral messages.

There were 25 tributes, most of them from relatives, but also one from colleagues at Asda, where she worked.

Perhaps the most moving was the one from her grandchildren who were also injured in the crash.

It read: "Nana, we are going to miss you so much. We will always love you. Loads and loads of hugs and kisses, Chloe, Deano and Mia".

Miss Laws, who was also badly hurt in the crash, was only released from hospital this week.

Paul Wales, 47, of Gorst Street, Liverpool, is accused of causing death by dangerous driving, robbery, driving without insurance and causing criminal damage to a breathalyser. He has been remanded in custody until July 18.