A devoted mum died of a broken heart only weeks after her teenage son was killed in an industrial accident, her family said today.

Julie Dixon died eight weeks to the day after her 18-year-old son, Kristopher, was killed in an accident with a lorry at a privately-owned waste management site in Bradford.

Her husband Ken, 56, a skip driver, of Wibsey, said: "When Kristopher was killed, Julie just lost the will to live.

"They were really close. Even though he was 18 years old, 6ft 3ins and 18 stone, he was still her baby.

"There wasn't a day went by without Kris and Julie saying I love you' to each other."

The 50-year-old mum-of-four died at Bradford Royal Infirmary last Wednesday. She had suddenly suffered a recurrence of breast cancer.

Mr Dixon said his wife had thought she had beaten the cancer a couple of years ago, but tests at the hospital revealed she still had it.

He said: "At the hospital they said her cancer had been accelerated by Kris's death.

"It was Kris who had kept her going when she had been ill. Kris was her rock and went with her every time she went to the clinic for treatment," he said.

Mr Dixon said his wife had strong religious beliefs and she had told him that she feared Kristopher was on his own and she wanted to be with him.

Mrs Dixon's brother, Jim Mathers, 46, of Great Horton, said: "After Kristopher's death, Julie just kept saying she wanted to be with him.

"I know Julie inside out, and the last time I saw her give a proper smile was to the priest at Kris's funeral. When she got ill this time she wouldn't have any treatment. It's like she wanted to die. What had happened to Kris killed her."

Carole Mathers, 46, Mrs Dixon's sister-in-law, said: "She died of a broken heart, that's what everyone said."

Mr Mathers said his sister had been more like a mother to him, after their mum died when he was 13.

Mrs Dixon's eldest son Richard, 27, said: "She was such a strong woman. If you wanted anything, she would give you it or lend you it."

"My mum was so important to people. My sister Louise's best friend Clare, who was like another daughter to her, had been by my mum's bedside while she was in hospital."

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive is continuing into Kristopher's death at Bradford Associate Waste Management site in Canal Road, Shipley, on April 12.

Paying tribute to his brother, who was known as Biddy to his friends, Richard said: "He was so generous. He was always the first person to buy a round of drinks. He got on with everyone."

Mrs Dixon's funeral takes place at Scholemoor Crematorium, Bradford, tomorrow morning.