A woman killed in a head-on collision with a police car on Christmas Day has been named as Lorraine Stephenson.

Stephenson, 61, died when the vehicle in which she was a passenger crashed into a police car driven by Dave Fields at about 8.15pm on Monday.

Fields, described as a “universally liked” police officer, also died in the collision on the A57 near Coisley Hill in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Fields, 45, was responding to a “imminent incident” when his marked BMW 3 Series hit a Citroën C3 travelling in the opposite direction.

Fields and Stephenson sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead shortly after the collision.

The driver of the silver Citroën, a 63-year-old man, was taken to hospital, where he remained in a serious condition on Wednesday.

A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Fields’ family, who are being supported by specialist officers, paid tribute to him on Wednesday.

“Dave was a loving husband and dad of two, who was a dedicated officer committed to his job. We are heartbroken by our loss and ask that our privacy please be respected at this devastating time,” they said.

David Hartley, an assistant chief constable of South Yorkshire police, said: “On behalf of the force, I’d like to offer my sincere condolences to all of those left bereaved by this terrible tragedy; our thoughts, love and support are extended to all those affected.

“We are doing everything we can to support them through this difficult time. We have lost a friend and a colleague from our police family. The officer has been with us for 12 years and was a passionate, professional and universally liked officer. His colleagues and everyone across the force are devastated by what has happened.”

Witnesses to the collision, or anyone who saw either of the vehicles in the lead up to the incident, are asked to call 101 quoting incident number 691 of 25 December 2017.

A fundraising page has been set up for the families of Fields and Stephenson.