THEY had only been married a mere seven weeks and were planning the rest of their lives together.

Newlywed Becki Harvey has lost her husband Darren Harvey just seven weeks after they married at Ringwood Registry Office, after he died in a crash in the New Forest on Saturday involving a fire engine.

The devastated 22-year-old told how she felt numb following the 25-year-old's death, but said at least they had shared that one perfect day.

Darren's Ford Puma was in collision with the fire engine returning from an emergency call on the A337 between Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst shortly before 11pm.

A firefighter had minor injuries but Darren died from his injuries at the scene.

Becki and Darren, of Portsmouth Road, Woolston, were married at Ringwood Registry Office on July 4.

Becki, who suffers from arthritis of the spine, said Darren took care of her. "He was just an absolute angel, he really was one of a kind, so selfless," she said, adding he was a "cheeky chappy".

"He was my best friend. We wanted to grow old together. It just hurts so much."

On the night of his death Becki said Darren had gone out for a drive and to get cigarettes, but she became concerned when he did not come back so called police. Later she received the news he was gone.

A tearful Becki described Darren, who has two sons Jacob and Dylan Greenhalgh, aged eight and six respectively, from a previous relationship, as an "incredible father".

Becki said he would often be found helping out family or friends with any vehicle trouble and was known for always having blackened hands from working on cars.

Becki shared her memories of her wedding day where someone had forgotten the rings so they had to improvise with family members' rings.

"I'm not sure how I'm going to cope without him, he was just the other part of me – half of me is missing," she added.

"I'm so happy I got to marry my soulmate. It's painful that that's it now. We didn't get to enjoy married life."

"But that day was so perfect I don't feel pain about it."

Hampshire Constabulary continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

A police spokesman said a file is being prepared and will be passed to the coroner.