Four members of the same family, including two young girls, have been killed in a horror car crash that left an 11-year-old girl orphaned as well as two motorcyclists dead.
Shannen Morgan, her partner Shane Roller, and their daughters Lillie and Rubie died when their Ford Focus was in a collision with a motorbike on a rural West Yorkshire road at around 3.54pm on Sunday afternoon.
West Yorkshire Police said the motorcyclist and pillion passenger, a man and a woman, were also confirmed dead at the scene on the A61 between Staincross, Barnsley, and Newmillerdam, Wakefield.
Organisers of a fundraiser set up for Ms Morgan and Mr Roller’s third daughter 11-year-old Poppie, who was not in the car, said she “lost her whole world in an instant” as they paid tribute to her “loving” family.
The GoFundMe page, which had reached more than £50,000 by Monday afternoon, said: “We are reaching out to you with heavy hearts and a plea for help.
“On 21st July 2024, a tragic car accident took the lives of Poppie’s entire family — her loving mum, dad, and two little sisters.
“At just 11 years old, Poppie has lost her whole world in an instant.”
“Heartbroken” and shocked family members took to social media to pay tribute to their loved ones who “all had a heart of gold”.
Mr Roller’s brother Callum wrote on Facebook on Sunday: “I’m absolutely heartbroken. I’m go[ing to] miss all of you! It’s absolutely broken my heart and it’s absolutely broke[n] both side[s] of [the] famil[y]! You all had a heart of gold and [I’m going to] miss you all like crazy! My heart goes out to Shannen’s side of [the] family and mine! We are all in absolute shock.”
In a post on Facebook on Monday, Ms Morgan’s cousin Mandy Louise Dawson said: “Rip to my cousin her partner and two youngest daughters. Thinking of … my cousins and family at this sad time. Rip Shannen Morgan, gone too soon.”
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Superintendent Alan Travis of Wakefield District Police described the incident as “truly horrendous”, involving a “devastating loss of life”. He said: “My heart goes out to the loved ones who have lost loved ones in this incident.”
He thanked the police, fire and ambulance crews who worked at the scene, saying: “This has obviously been an extremely tragic incident.”
He added that the road would remain closed for some time to come while police investigations continued.
Grim photographs from the scene show the badly damaged carriageway, and a burnt-out, blackened, mangled car on a grass verge. Near the wrecked vehicle, debris can be seen strewn across the road.
Mr Travis said earlier: “This is an absolutely tragic incident which has resulted in the loss of six lives.
“Our thoughts go out to the families of those who have died who we are working with to provide support at this time.”
The local MP described the tragedy as “devastating” as he sent his condolences on Sunday night.
Security minister Dan Jarvis, who is MP for Barnsley North, said on X: “Devastating news. My heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives.”
Anyone with any information has been asked to contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101, quoting reference 1157 of 21/7.