AN elderly ‘loving’ couple who died in a three-car smash on the M6 near to the Thelwall Viaduct were about to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary, it has been revealed.

Emelyn Coulson, aged 86, and his 83-year-old wife Dorothy, from Hawarden in Deeside, died shortly after their Peugeot Panther van was involved in a collision with a BMW 525 and a Mitsubishi Space on the southbound carriageway on Tuesday night.

The 51-year-old driver of the BMW, a Lanarkshire man, was taken to Warrington Hospital with chest pains while the 61-year-old driver of the Mitsubishi, a Knutsford woman, was unhurt.

She was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was later released on police bail, which she will answer on July 31.

In a statement released to police, the family of Mr and Mrs Coulson said they were a loving couple.

They added: “They were loving parents and grandparents and will be sadly missed by their two sons, daughter and grandchildren.

“Living in Hawarden for most of their lives, they were well known and liked within their community in Hawarden.

“Emelyn and Dorothy were keen caravanners, spending a lot of time travelling around the country and visiting friends.

“They will be truly missed by all who knew them.”