Family of woman killed in collision near Farndon pay tribute

The family of a woman who was killed in a collision near Farndon have paid tribute to her.

The tribute comes on the day of the sentencing of Paul Bark, who had previously been found guilty of causing the death of his wife Pauline through careless driving.

Bark, 43, of The Crofts, Farndon, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 10th June, where he was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years, 200 hours of unpaid work, 20 days of a rehabilitation requirement, a £1,000 fine, and a 12 month-disqualification from driving.

Following the sentencing, the family of Pauline Collings (married name Bark) paid tribute to their ‘special, beautiful angel Pauline, referred to by her siblings as Po’.

They said:

“Pauline was and always will be a very special close sister to all her sisters and brothers, a daughter, and a very special mother to her daughter. Pauline was the life and soul; she was kind, and she had a pure heart of gold. She would go out of her way for anyone and nothing was too much trouble.

“Pauline loved spending her time with her daughter and her sisters, and she loved visiting her family to see her mum and brother. Pauline loved to go for dog walks with her sisters and daughter, afternoon tea, spa days, holidays, and lunch at her mum's. Pauline loved her little village job, going to the gym, and so much more.

“Pauline will always be remembered as a very pretty Barbie doll with her gorgeous, luscious, long thick hair. Pauline was and always will be a true angel and she touched the lives of so many who knew her. She was a breath of fresh air and Pauline's memory now lives on through her sisters, daughter, and all her family.”

Cheshire Police were first called to reports of a collision at around 12.15pm on Wednesday 11 May 2022, on the B5130 Aldford Lane, between Farndon and Chester.

Paul Bark had been driving a yellow Citroen DS3, travelling towards Chester, with Pauline in the front passenger seat. The vehicle crossed into the opposite lane and into the path of a grey Citroen Berlingo van. The impact caused the DS3 to flip over.

Sadly Pauline, who was 37 at the time, suffered multiple serious injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the van suffered serious injuries, including multiple fractures, long-term psychological injuries, and has been unable to work since the collision.

Bark passed both a breath and drugs test, and a collision investigator stated there was no evidence to suggest he had been distracted by a mobile phone, or that there was any fault with the vehicle itself.

Sergeant Russell Sime added:

“This is an incredibly tragic case, in which a woman lost her life, and a family has been left trying to come to terms with this sudden loss.

“Although nothing is going to bring Pauline back, I hope the conclusion of this case today, more than two years after the original incident, will bring them some sense of closure.

“I also hope this incident serves as a reminder to ensure you are paying full attention while driving. The consequences of not respecting the roads can be catastrophic.”

Pictured - Family tribute photograph of Pauline.