Four members of same family die in horrific car crash that leaves 11-year-old girl an orphan

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Four members of the same family, including two young girls, died in a horrific car crash that left an 11-year-old girl an orphan, 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 collision with a motorbike on a country road in West Yorkshire at around 3.54pm on Sunday afternoon.

West Yorkshire Police said the motorcyclist and passenger, a man and a woman, were also pronounced dead at the scene on the A61 between Staincross, Barnsley and Newmillerdam, Wakefield.

Organizers of a fundraiser for 11-year-old Poppie, the third daughter of Mrs Morgan and Mr Roller, who was not in the car, said she “lost her whole world in an instant”, in as they paid tribute to her “loving” family.

The GoFundMe page, which had reached more than £50,000 by Monday afternoon, said: “We are contacting you with heavy hearts and a plea for help.

“On July 21, 2024, a tragic car accident took the lives of Poppie’s entire family – her loving mother, father and two younger sisters.

“At just 11 years old, Poppie 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”.

Roller’s brother Callum wrote on Facebook on Sunday: “I am heartbroken. I will miss you all! It absolutely broke my heart and it’s absolutely broken both sides of (the family)! You all had a heart of gold and (will) be missed madly! My heart goes out to Shannen’s family and mine! We are all in absolute shock.”

In a Facebook post on Monday, Ms Morgan’s cousin Mandy Louise Dawson said: “My cousin is missing her partner and two younger 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 horrific”, 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 was obviously an extremely tragic incident.”

He added that the road would remain closed for some time while police investigations continued.

Grim photos from the scene show the badly damaged road and a burnt, blackened and mangled car on a grass verge. Debris can be seen scattered across the road near the crashed vehicle.

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, told X: “Devastating news. Sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of those who tragically lost their lives.”

Anyone with information has been asked to contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 quoting reference 1157 of 21/7.