A POLICE officer who travelled to Thailand to identify bodies of tsunami victims has been killed in a minibus crash.

Father-of-one Kevin Brinkman from Northwich, who was due to be married this year, was in Phuket as part of the British police's response team to the Asian disaster.

PC Brinkman died following the crash which also left two other Cheshire Constabulary officers injured on Tuesday, March 29.

He lived with his long-term partner and fiancee Diana, and their daughter, Chloe, aged two.

His body was flown back to Britain last Friday and was met by senior officers and the force chaplain. The rest of the officers have also returned home, except for one who still remains in a Thailand hospital.

A statement from PC Brinkman's devastated family said: "Kevin and Diana were due to marry in September.

"He will be remembered as a loving and committed family man and father. During his 11 years' service, he was respected by his colleagues as a hard-working and dedicated officer and had been commended for his bravery."

PC Brinkman had served in the police for more than 10 years, working as a uniformed patrol officer based at Warrington and Stockton Heath, before joining the town's community action team.

He was awarded the Cheshire Chief Constable's commendation for bravery in 2002.

Cheshire's Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "The officers in Thailand were involved in the identification of victims from the Asian tsunami, which in itself is a very distressing and difficult task.

"PC Brinkman's death has affected many officers and staff in the constabulary, many of whoM were stunned when they heard the news.

"Kevin was a fine officer and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

"It is difficult to comprehend what they must be going through but we will be supporting them."

Thai authorities are carrying out investigations into the incident.