THE father of a pregnant Beckenham woman killed by a fire engine says he feels sorry for the driver.
Terry Stepney, 53, of Wickham Way, said he was not bitter towards the firefighter while speaking of his family's devastation at the loss of 28-year-old Donna, who died in a collision in Croydon with a fire engine answering a 999 call.
He said he would like to meet the driver, as he is "probably just like me, a normal man just trying to earn a decent living".
The driver whose name has not been released, was treated for shock after the incident, and is still on sick leave.
Donna had been due to marry her boyfriend of seven years, 40-year-old Gary Truelove, next year.
The ex-Highfield Junior School and Langley Park Secondary School pupil worked with Mr Truelove and her father at the family home equipment business, in Croydon, since leaving school.
Mr Stepney said: "I don't want to blame anyone, and I would like to meet the driver. I feel sorry for him now."
He paid tribute to his daughter, saying: "Donna was kind and caring and always put others first.
"The baby was the first thing she had wanted for herself. We only found out at the autopsy it was a girl. I think I feel most sorry for Gary, because he's lost both a wife and a daughter.
Sergeant Alan Adams, of Catford traffic police, is leading the police inquiry into the incident.
The inquiry is expected to take three months to complete.
Sgt Adams said: "This was a tragic incident, especially just before Christmas.
Donna's funeral will be held on Monday, December 17, at the South London crematorium, in Streatham.
December 11, 2001 10:44
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