A woman killed when her car was hit by a train on an icy level crossing was due to get married, her family has said.

Moira Koune had been frantically trying to reverse her car out of the path of an on coming train in South Drove, near Spalding, Lincolnshire.

The 30-year-old from Welbeck Drive, Spalding, died after her grey Rover 216 was struck by the 8.33am train travelling from Peterborough to Lincoln.

Her brother Andrew Koune, 32, said his sister planned to marry her fiance, 49-year-old butcher Charlie Grainger, later this year.

Mr Koune said: "As a family we are devastated by the loss of our beloved Moira.

"Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her will have had their lives touched by her kindness and generosity. She was the most loving and caring sister a brother could hope for."

He added: "2009 held such promise. Moira planned to marry Charlie and we were all looking forward to it so much.

"We cannot believe she has been taken from us at such a young age, with so many hopes and dreams unfulfilled.

"We will always love my beautiful baby sister - she will be in our hearts forever."

Miss Koune skidded on ice moments before the accident, clipping a Ford Transit van travelling over the level crossing in the opposite direction.

The teaching assistant then became trapped on the railway track, but was unable to reverse her car to safety because of the ice.

Lincolnshire Police said she may have stayed in her car in a brave attempt to save the train's passengers from derailment.

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