Four members of the same family die in terrible car accident, eleven-year-old girl becomes an orphan

Do you really support
independent journalism

Find out moreClose

Our mission is to provide unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds the powerful to account and exposes the truth.

Whether it’s $5 or $50, every contribution counts.

Support us in practicing journalism without an agenda.

Four members of the same family, including two young girls, were killed in a horrific car accident that left an 11-year-old girl orphaned and two motorcyclists dead.

Shannen Morgan, her partner Shane Roller and their daughters Lillie and Rubie died when their Ford Focus collided with a motorbike on a country road in West Yorkshire at around 3:54pm on Sunday afternoon.

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

Organisers of a fundraiser 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 their last respects to her “loving” family.

The GoFundMe page, which had raised more than £50,000 by Monday afternoon, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we turn to you for help.

“On July 21, 2024, Poppie’s entire family died in a tragic car accident – her loving mother, father and two little sisters.

“At just 11 years old, Poppie lost her whole world in an instant.”

“Heartbroken” and shocked family members took to social media to express their respect for their loved ones who “all had hearts of gold.”

Mr Roller’s brother Callum wrote on Facebook on Sunday: “I am utterly heartbroken. I will miss you all! I am deeply heartbroken and both sides of the family are deeply heartbroken! You all had hearts of gold and I will miss you all like crazy! My heart goes out to Shannen and my side of the family! We are all in shock.”

Speaking to reporters at the scene, Superintendent Alan Travis of Wakefield District Police described the incident as “truly horrific” with “devastating loss of life”. He said: “My deepest sympathies go out to the families who have lost loved ones in this incident.”

He thanked the police, fire and rescue services who were on the scene and said: “This was obviously an extremely tragic incident.”

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

Grim photos from the scene of the accident show the badly damaged roadway and a burnt-out, blackened, demolished car on a grass verge. Debris can be seen scattered across the road near the destroyed vehicle.

Mr Travis said earlier: “This is an absolutely tragic incident in which six people have lost their lives.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased, with whom we are working to provide them with support during this time.”

The local MP described the tragedy as “devastating” as he expressed his condolences on Sunday evening.

Safety Minister Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley North, said on X: “Devastating news. My deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference number 1157 of 21 July.

Further information on this breaking news will follow…