Man arrested over horror crash that left 11-year-old orphaned
A British man has been arrested over a horror crash that left an 11-year-old girl orphaned.
Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller have died alongside their two young daughters Rubie, 9, and Lillie, four, when their car collided with a motorbike as the family were travelling home from a walk on Sunday.
Christopher Barton, 56, and his wife Janine, 48, who were on the motorbike were also both killed.
The couple's son, Lewis, 21 has now been left without his parents, along with Shane and Shannen's 11-year-old daughter Poppie.
Shocking pictures taken after the horror crash between Barnsley and Wakefield in northern England, showed the burnt out wreckage of the family's car, who were all declared dead at the scene.
Police have confirmed a man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, according to The Sun.
Poppie managed to escape the tragic accident because she had gone to a friend's house for dinner, and Lewis was on holiday in Thailand when he found out about his parents death.
The 11-year-old was being looked after by family friend, Paul Hepple, at the time, and he said that they were just tucking into a roast dinner when the phone rang with the devastating news.
“Her mum actually contacted us and asked if we could watch her because she didn’t want to go on the walk that they went on,” he told Mail Online.
“She was with our daughter having fun. And on their way home, that’s when the accident happened.
“We were having Sunday dinner as a family, and Poppie's aunty was with us and obviously, Poppie was as well. And then she got a phone call and she ended up leaving really quickly to go and see what happened.”
Hepple, has set up a GoFundMe page for Poppie and has raised almost £380,000 (about $745,000 Australian dollars) to put towards her education, emotional support and future care.
The family friend has described Poppie as a “bright and resilient young girl” who has turned to Taylor Swift’s music to find comfort after she “lost her whole world in an instant”.
“Despite her unimaginable loss, she shows incredible strength every day,” he wrote on the fundraiser.
“Poppie now faces an uncertain future. With her immediate family gone, she needs support to ensure she has a stable, loving environment where she can heal and grow.”
Shannen and Shane's devastated friends and family have shared their tributes on social media, vowing to look after Poppie.
Shane’s brother Callum said he was “lost for words”, adding: “I’m absolutely heartbroken. I’m gonna miss all of you! You all had a heart of gold. My heart is ripped into a million pieces!”
Shannen's friend Chelsea Element wrote: “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 you’re at peace Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller, with your beautiful girls.
“Everyone will always look after Poppie, she will never want for anything she has the love of everyone.”
Her cousin Beth Brittain said: “My heart just hurts my brain won’t accept what’s happened.
“Shannen you were 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.”
Christopher and Janine’s son Lewis, is believed to have flown home immediately after finding out about his parents death.
The couple had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, according to West Yorkshire Police, and they were just 20 minutes from home when the devastating accident occurred.
In a tribute released through the police, the couple were described by their son as “a loving, caring mum and dad who always put me before everything else”.
Superintendent Alan Travis of Wakefield District Police has urged anyone who has dashcam, doorbell or CCTV footage of the car to contact them and assist with their investigation.
They have also issued a public plea for anyone who saw a grey coloured Porsche 911 at the time of the crash to come forward.
“This is an absolutely tragic incident which has resulted in the loss of six lives," the Superintendent said.
“Our thoughts go out to the families of those who have died who we are working with to provide support at this time.”
Images: news.com.au