A FATHER of three disabled children has been killed in a tragic accident. Nicholas Dalton died when his lorry was in a freak accident while he was delivering meat to a farm shop.

Wholesale butcher Mr Dalton, 52, of Skelmanthorpe, was approaching the farm gate at 10am on Friday when strong winds blew it back. It snapped off and smashed through the windscreen. He died from his injuries. The shop is at Blacker Hall Farm Branch Road, Calder Grove, Wakefield.

Mr Dalton's 49-year-old wife, Desrie, said today: "Nicholas was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is a wholesale butcher, but, with it being Christmas, had to deliver the meat to the farm."

She was today being comforted by many friends who rallied round.

"I have lots and lots of friends helping me," said Mrs Dalton. "Nicholas was such a well-liked man, and so many people have been phoning me up."

A West Yorkshire police spokeswoman said: "As the lorry approached the entrance to the farm, the wind blew the gate into the cab, inflicting fatal injuries on the driver."

The spokeswoman added that Health and Safety Executive officials had been to the scene of the tragedy, which was being treated as an industrial accident.

Mr and Mrs Dalton have three children, all have disabilities.

Their eldest son, 29-year-old James, was born with a serious heart condition.

He was not expected to survive and underwent pioneering heart surgery as a baby. He also suffered brain damage.

His story was featured in the Examiner in the late 1970s and early 80s, when his parents sought treatments to help him.

James now lives at a Bridgewood Trust home in Meltham and is keen on gardening.

In 1980 he had a vocabulary of 40 words. "He now never stops talking," said Mrs Dalton.

The couple's other son, 28-year-old Mathew, lives with other disabled people in a house near Highfields.

Their daughter, Bethan, 16, lives at home and attends a school for disabled children in Barnsley.