POLICE investigating a fatal collision that left ten children without a parent are appealing for motorists who passed the crash scene to come forward.

On the day that a 54-year-old man appeared in court charged with causing the deaths of Andrew Grimes and his partner, Lillian Prest, in the crash on the A19 at 6.15pm on Saturday, police said vital witnesses were still to be found.

Sergeant Paul Dee, who is leading the investigation, said: “Other witnesses have told us that at least two cars drove on after the collision and they must have witnessed what happened or drove around it.

“It is imperative that we speak to these drivers and their passengers.

They are key witnesses and we need them to come forward now. We are not looking to interview anyone. We are just looking for witness evidence.

“They may not be aware that it was such a major accident, but we need to trace them.”

Witnesses are asked to call 01642-301552.

Demolition contractor Paul Henshaw, a father-of-three from Sheffield, appeared in Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with causing the deaths of the couple by driving without due care and attention, and while unfit to drive through alcohol.

He was also charged with having no insurance and no driving licence while at the wheel of the Mitsubishi Pajero.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday.

Mr Grimes and his girlfriend, who were in a Ford Escort, died at the scene. They were both 44.

Both Mr Grimes, from Middlesbrough, and Ms Prest, from Murton, County Durham, had five children each, and both were grandparents.

Ms Prest’s parents, George and June Dobson, said: “Lillian was our dearly beloved daughter, and mother of Sean, Brian, Sandra, Pamela and Craig and grandmother of Damian, Thomas, Anita and Sean.

“She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Lillian was a happy person who enjoyed her life, which revolved around her family and her church.

“Lillian was a born-again Christian and had just started seeing Andy. We would like to express our sorrow for his family’s loss. We would also like to thank all our friends for their love and support.”

Mr Henshaw suffered a broken sternum, and his 66-year-old partner, from Cumbria, received a minor blow to her head.