Funeral for digger accident woman

Ms Fraser had talked about leaving her job as she hated commuting

More than 600 people gathered in an Easter Ross church on Thursday to pay tribute to woman who died in a freak crash with a runaway digger.

Christina Fraser, 24, from Arabella by Tain, died after the car she was travelling in was crushed by the digger, which had fallen off a lorry.

Her husband-to-be Gary Ross, 23, came across the A9 accident on his way to play football.

Her funeral was held in Tain Parish Church.

Rev Douglas Horne, who led the service, said Ms Fraser, who was known as Stina by her friends, had been very popular and well liked.

It was a freak accident - a tragedy Rev Douglas Horne

He said: "The size of the congregation was testimony to that. She was obviously very close to her family and friends.

"There was a massive turnout by people of a similar age to Stina."

The family chose two hymns for the funeral service.

Rev Horne said: "The first was All Things Bright and Beautiful, chosen because of Stina's bubbly nature. The family wanted something cheerful.

"The second was For the Beauty of the Earth, which speaks about relationships.

"She and her fiancé Gary were obviously devoted to each other."

Rev Horne, who read part of John Chapter 14 in the service, said: "It was a freak accident. A tragedy."

Childhood sweethearts

Ms Fraser had been getting a lift home with a colleague from her beautician's job in Inverness when the accident happened during Wednesday night's rush hour.

Their car was struck by the digger which had fallen off a low-loader transporter and rolled 200 yards down the steep Tomich brae between Tain and Alness.

Mr Ross revealed that the couple had been childhood sweethearts and after nine years together were planning to marry next year.