FATHER of two Nick Hall, who was settling into a new home in Marlborough with his wife Monica and sons Freddy, five, and George, three, died on Tuesday in a lorry crash in west Wiltshire.

Mr Hall, 44, died instantly in the crash which occurred on the busy Trowbridge to Warminster Road near the village of Upton Scudamore.

He was a lorry driver and white line installer employed by Ringway Parkman, the highways contractors for Wiltshire County Council.

It is believed Mr Hall had parked his lorry and trailer at the side of the busy A350, possibly to check the trailer hitch, and was standing between them when the trailer was struck by a 17- tonne lorry owned a Bristol distribution firm. The 57-year-old Exeter man driving the other lorry was unhurt.

PC Dave Thompson said he believed Mr Hall was out of his vehicle and standing near the trailer at the time of the collision.

The road was closed for almost five hours while police investigators examined the scene and the vehicles involved.

PC Thompson appealed for any witnesses to the crash or other motorists who saw the lorries before the collision to contact him at the traffic police office in Corsham (01249) 716564.

Mr Hall had worked for Wiltshire County Council for almost 20 years and for the last three years for Ringway Parkman, which took over the highways maintenance contracts.

Ringway Parkman network manager Dave Gibby said yesterday: "He was a quiet lad but was always very dependable and very reliable and well liked by all his colleagues."

Mr Hall was one of five brothers and was born at Oare, going to Pewsey Primary School and Pewsey Vale before his first job which was farm work.

He joined the county council in 1983 working as a driver and on the installation of white lines. He had been white lining earlier in the day on Tuesday but was driving back to his depot at the time of the accident.

Mr Hall and his wife Monica were married seven years ago and lived in Rabley Wood View for a while before moving to Mildenhall and later to Burbage.

Mr and Mrs Hall and their two sons moved into their home in Isbury Road in February.

Yesterday Mrs Hall, who works as a home help, was being comforted by relatives including Mr Hall's mother, Lucy. Mrs Hall said her husband was a home loving man who enjoyed gardening and being with his two sons.

His brother Colin said: "He liked a quiet life and lived for his family.

"His boys thought the world of him."

Brother Pat, who worked with him for the county council and latterly Ringway Parkman, said: "He was one of the best."

Mr Hall was a blood donor and was proud when he recently received a gold badge for giving an accumulated total of 50 pints.

His mother said yesterday: "He was always a Liverpool supporter but I don't know how I will cope when I hear them play 'You'll Never Walk Alone.'"

Mr Hall's death was reported to the Wiltshire Coroner, David Masters, and there will be an inquest in due course.

nkerton@newswilts.co.uk