Policewoman dies in twins labour

Husband Richard said the couple were "desperate" to have children

The husband of a policewoman who died giving birth to twins has described the loss of his wife as "like standing at Ground Zero".

Pc Sarah Underhill, 37, was in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford when she collapsed in week 39 of her pregnancy.

Twins James and Hannah were delivered by Caesarean section but their mother died from massive blood loss.

Her husband Sgt Richard Underhill said: "Looking forward makes me sad because we had so many plans."

Sgt Underhill said the couple, who both worked for Thames Valley Police, had planned to explore the world together with their children.

"When she died it really was like standing at Ground Zero as if everything had been wiped out around me.

"It's like having a part of yourself ripped away and knowing it's not going to come back."

'Joy and guilt'

The babies are now both out of intensive care and are said to be doing well but it is not known whether James will have any long-term problems.

I want Sarah to be proud in the way I bring up our children - I want to bring them up the way she wanted Sgt Richard Underhill, husband

Pc Underhill won a commendation in 2004 for giving a man who had been shot in High Wycombe vital first aid, which saved his life.

Her husband said she had loved her job and was "proud" to be a police officer.

The couple married in June 2005, lived in Wallingford, Oxfordshire and were "desperate" to have children.

The Thames Valley officer said he last saw his wife on Saturday 4 October, the day before she died and said she was "happy and chirpy".

"Sarah was a wonderful, generous person who always put other people before herself and cheered everyone up," he said.

"She would have been a fantastic mum.

"I want Sarah to be proud in the way I bring up our children - I want to bring them up the way she wanted."