An 11-year-old girl was left orphaned and two motorcyclists were murdered in a horrific vehicle accident that claimed the lives of four members of the same family, including two young children.
At approximately 3:54 p.m. on Sunday, Shannen Morgan, her partner Shane Roller, and their four- and nine-year-old children Lillie and Rubie perished in a collision between their Ford Focus and a motorbike on a rural West Yorkshire road.
On the A61 between Staincross in Barnsley and Newmillerdam in Wakefield, the motorcyclist and pillion passenger, a man and a woman, were also pronounced dead at the scene, according to West Yorkshire Police.
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.
A 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 3rd November 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.”
Social media was used by heartbroken and astonished family members to honour their loved ones, who they claimed “all had a heart of gold.”
On Sunday, Callum, Mr. Roller’s brother, posted on Facebook, saying, “I’m heartbroken. All of you will be missed! My heart is completely broken, and both sides of [the] family are completely broken! You all have such a kind heart, and I will really miss you all! My thoughts and prayers are with Shannen’s side of [the] family. All of us are in complete shock.
Mandy Louise Dawson, a cousin of Ms. Morgan, wrote on Facebook on Monday: “Rip to my cousin her partner and two youngest daughters.” During this difficult moment, I’m thinking of my cousins and family. Shannen Morgan, you’re dead too soon.
Michael White stated, “My family and good friends are an absolute gem. I will miss them terribly. Sending love to all family and friends xx.”
One of the people who left flowers at the scene, Jamie Phillips, told the BBC that he was friends with Mr. Roller.
He described himself as a typical worker boy who was constantly grinning and a pleasant child. He loved his family and was happy.
I couldn’t sleep all night knowing what had happened… Barnsley is only small so it is going to affect quite a lot of people,” he added.
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.
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.
Supt 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, Dan Jarvis, described the tragedy as “devastating” as he sent his condolences on Sunday night.
Security minister Mr Jarvis, who is the MP for Barnsley North, said on X, formerly Twitter: “Devastating news. My heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives.”
