THE last words of a Pershore man before he died in the worst tragedy that has hit the Vale of Evesham in recent years was: "What a fantastic day I have had."

Bernard Coppin, aged 62, was travelling back from a Christmas shopping trip to France with his wife, Margaret, and six close friends before the coach he was travelling in veered off the M25 and careered down an embankment. Many people were asleep when the accident happened at about 10.55pm last Saturday.

Mrs Coppin, who works for Social Services in Worcester said: "I woke up in the coach on my side. I was covered with grit and had bits of glass in my hair. I was bemused at first and then heard my friend shouting for me to get out. All I could think of was Bernard.

"I kept shouting: "Where's Bernard? Later on I thought I saw him lying on the ground - he looked peacefully asleep.

"We were stumbling about in the field and there were arc lights and police and doctors everywhere. They told me to come out of the way."

It wasn't until later that Mrs Coppin learned her husband, a retired project design engineer, had died.

Mrs Coppin's son, 31-year-old Nick, and daughter Sam, aged 32, travelled from different ends of the country to be with their mother. Although still in shock yesterday, they were determined to be positive. Mrs Coppin, 58, who had just celebrated 40 years of marriage, said: "Bernard was a bit of a Victor Meldrew.

"He had old fashioned values but he was such a laugh. He told all our friends he wasn't going to enjoy the trip but he had a great time and spent about £70 on French cheeses, pate and food hampers."

Nick, who lives in London, said: "My dad was like a best friend, I could tell him anything, and we hugged a lot."

Sam, who lives in Manchester, said: "He was very family and friends orientated and loved cooking and fine wines."

E Hill and Son of Pershore are arranging Mr Coppin's funeral which is expected to take place on Friday, November 29.

Journal reporting team: Pat Smith, Peter McMillan, Gerry Barnett and Mathew Martin.