The family of Donna Stepney have paid tribute to the best daughter in the world' killed last week in a tragic road accident with a fire engine answering a 999 call.

Donna, 28, who worked with her family at Warehouse City in Church Street, Croydon, was six and a half months pregnant with her first child and due to be married early next year when she was killed in the accident last Thursday in Roman Way.

Donna's father, Terry Stepney, said: "I know everyone's daughter is the best in the world but she definitely was something.

"In the 28 years I knew her, I never knew her to do anything for herself. She was always helping other people. Not only is she my daughter but she is my best friend.

"She worked alongside me in the business for 10 years. Because she's my daughter I know how much I loved her and how much everybody else loved her and thought of her.

"The double tragedy is the fact that all she ever wanted in her life for herself was the baby, to be a mother and she was so happy. Everyone is going through hell.

"She may have gone but no one can take away my memories of her. My wife, my son and myself are all so proud that she was, and always will be, part of us."

Donna's fiance Gary Truelove, 40, from Chipstead Lane, Lower Kingswood, said: "She was the most beautiful girl. All her life she wanted to be a mother and she would have been the most brilliant mother.

"The morning I last saw her we had a laugh and the last memory I have of her she was laughing.

"She didn't deserve this. She was too special. When she died I died with her."

Gary had been Donna's partner for the last seven years and had met her after he began working with Donna's father in the family business, Warehouse City.

On the morning of her death, Donna was due to come to the shop late because she had been choosing a colour for the nursery walls.

Donna leaves Gary, her mother Kay, father Terry and brother Daniel.

December 6, 2001 10:30