Man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving over crash that killed six people

July 24, 2024

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving over a crash that killed six people, including two children.

The crash between a Ford Focus carrying a family and a motorbike with a husband and wife riding it happened on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley just before 4pm on Sunday.

Police have appealed for anyone who saw a grey coloured Porsche 911 car being driven in the area around the time of the collision to come forward.

Shane Roller, 33, his 30-year-old partner Shannen Morgan and their daughters Rubie and Lillie Morgan-Roller, aged nine and four, were killed in the crash.

A GoFundMe page set up for Mr Roller and Ms Morgan's surviving daughter, who is understood not to have been with them at the time of the crash, reached more than £340,000 by Wednesday afternoon.

The page, set up by family friend Paul Hepple, said the 11-year-old had "lost her whole world in an instant" and that he had been looking after her since the tragedy.

But Mr Hepple said the 11-year-old is going to be staying with her "amazing, loving and capable" aunt, who will be given the money raised to help and support her.

He said: "The love and support we have received from all of you have been truly overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful."

Staff at a Barnsley primary school paid tribute to the children who died saying they were "a delight to teach".

Athersley North Primary School issued a statement saying: "So many people in our communities will feel this devastating, tragic loss.

Mr Roller's brother Callum wrote on Facebook on Sunday: "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!"

Christopher Barton, 56, and Janine Barton, 48, also died in the crash on the BMW S100 XR motorbike they were riding.

In a tribute released by their son through West Yorkshire Police, they were described as "a loving, caring mum and dad who always put me before everything else".

The couple had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Superintendent Alan Travis of Wakefield District Police described the crash as an "absolutely tragic incident which resulted in the loss of six lives".

West Yorkshire Police's Detective Sergeant Steven Suggitt said: "I would also urge anyone who has dashcam, doorbell or CCTV footage of this car, that may assist our investigation, to please contact us.

The Ford Focus the Morgan-Roller family was travelling in is understood to have burst into flames following the collision.

A stretch of the road, outside Barnsley Golf Club, was closed for a number of days as police conducted a detailed investigation of the scene.

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