What we know about A61 crash that killed six and left girl, 11, an orphan
An 11-year-old girl has been left an orphan after surviving a crash that killed both her parents, two sisters and two other people on Sunday afternoon.
Shannen Morgan, Shane Roller and two of their daughters, Lillie and Ruby, died in the collision between a car and a motorcycle on Sunday, on the A61 near Wakefield, West Yorkshire and Barnsley, South Yorkshire. A male motorcyclist and a female pillion passenger had also died at the scene.
Less than 24 hours after the crash, more than £57,000 had been donated to a GoFundMe page[1] set up to support the surviving girl by covering her school fees, counselling and living expenses.
The page’s founder, Paul Hepple, a close family friend, described the girl as “a bright and resilient young girl, known for her infectious smile and kind heart”.
“Despite her unimaginable loss, she shows incredible strength every day,” he added. “She loves football and playing outdoors. She is also a huge Taylor Swift fan and finds comfort in her music. She now faces an uncertain future.”
Here is what we know so far about the fatal crash.
What we know
West Yorkshire Police was called to the scene on the A61 Barnsley Road at following reports of a collision between a Ford Focus car and a motorcycle at 3.45pm on Sunday.
The crash took place between Staincross, Barnsley, and Newmillerdam, Wakefield. The road has been closed between Shaw Lane and Warren Lane and is likely to remain shut for some time, police said.
It is understood that the family’s car burst into flames, with aerial images showing the car burnt out from the inside.
Speaking outside Wakefield’s district headquarters on Monday afternoon, Superintendent Alan Travis issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward.
He said: “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.
“This is truly a horrendous collision, which we are currently in the early stages of investigating. I would ask that anybody who witnessed the incident or has dash cam footage please contact the major collision enquiry team.”
Aerial photo of police on the scene on the A61 Wakefield Road, near Wakefield and Barnsley. (SWNS)
Anyone who can help investigators is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101, or to report online[2], quoting reference 1157 of 21/7.
Tributes have poured in social media, with people mourning the loss of a “beautiful family”. One person said: “My heart just hurts, my brain won’t accept what’s happened.
“Shannen you was always my extra sister not just my cousin, we grew together. I just can’t speak. No words. Sleep tight my little Roller family, your memory will live on for eternity.”
Another person said: “You are and always will be one of my closest friends. There are no words to describe the utter loss this has created for family/ friends and the community around us.
“I hope your at peace Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller, with your beautiful girls. Heaven has gained a beautiful family.”
Flowers laid near the scene of the crash, which killed six people. (SWNS)
Another friend said: “I’m absolutely heartbroken I’m gonna miss all of you. It’s absolutely broken my heart and it’s absolutely broke both side of families. You all had a heart of gold and gonna miss you all like crazy.”
Security minister Dan Jarvis, who is MP for Barnsley North, also responded to the crash, saying: “Devastating news. My heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives.”
In the interest of transparency, the creator of the GoFundMe page for the surviving girl says he will provide “regular updates” on her progress so people can see how the funds are being used.
What we don’t know
While the surviving girl has been named on the fundraising page and in local media as “Poppie”, her identity has not been confirmed by any authorities.
We don’t know the exact circumstances that led to the collision, with police still carrying out an investigation to establish what happened.
Shane Roller’s brother, Callum, suggested on social media that the motorbike involved in the crash had been travelling the wrong way down the road, but this is yet to be confirmed by police.
The family’s Ford Focus appeared to have burst into flames after the crash. (SWNS)
A friend and former neighbour told MailOnline[3] that the crash had taken away a “perfect family”. They added: Everyone is shocked… But as a truck driver I know accidents do happen – especially on that stretch of road.”
While we still don’t know if the conditions of the road contributed to the crash, another family friend, Jamie Phillips, suggested it wasn’t a safe stretch to travel on.
“For all of us as a community, it’s devastating. It’s a bad road. I eat at the café on the road regularly and there’s more people travel up and down here at stupid speeds,” he said.