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Mother, father and daughters from Barnsley (4 and 9) among those killed in accident

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Image description, Nine-year-old Rubie Morgan-Roller and four-year-old Lillie Morgan-Roller died in the accident on Sunday

  • Author, Hayley Coyle
  • Role, BBC News

Police have released the names of two young girls who died alongside their parents in an accident between a car and a motorcycle.

Nine-year-old Rubie Morgan-Roller and four-year-old Lillie Morgan-Roller died in the crash on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley on Sunday, West Yorkshire Police said.

Her mother, Shannen Morgan, and father, Shane Roller – who had another 11-year-old daughter together – were also killed while driving a Ford Focus.

The man and woman on the motorcycle also died at the scene of the accident, but police are not yet able to release their names, a police spokesman said.

The accident occurred between Staincross and Newmillerdam at approximately 3.55pm BST and the road remains closed between Shaw Lane and Warren Lane.

Image description, Friends of Ms Morgan and Mr Roller say there are no words to describe their loss

Roller’s brother Callum said in a social media post that his heart had been “shattered into a million pieces.”

Callum Roller also said: “It has broken my heart and it has completely devastated both sides of the family.

“You all had hearts of gold and will be sorely missed…my heart goes out to Shannen and my side of the family.”

Officers remained on site on Monday and laid flowers next to a wall near the closed road.

Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Image description, Six people died in the crash on Sunday at around 15:55 CEST.

Jamie Phillips, who was among those laying flowers, said he had been friends with Mr Roller.

“He was a normal working boy… a nice boy, he was always smiling.

“He was happy and loved his family.

“I couldn’t sleep all night knowing what had happened… Barnsley is so small it’s going to affect quite a lot of people.”

Mr Phillips said Mr Roller and Ms Morgan were from Athersley in Barnsley and Mr Roller worked as a delivery driver for a local takeaway.

Meanwhile, a friend of Ms Morgan wrote in a Facebook post that there were “no words to describe the tremendous loss this has meant for our family, friends and the community around us.”

She added: “My heart is truly broken.”

Dean Ingram, production manager at Press Glass in Barnsley, where Mr Roller also worked as a part-time delivery driver, said he had “always found Shane to be a really nice guy”.

“There was never a problem with him and he always had a smile on his face. He was the type of person that everyone just liked. We will miss him,” he added.

Image source, BBC/Yunus Mulla

Image description, Jamie Phillips said Mr Roller was a “normal working boy”

In a statement, Clare Storr and Kirsty Wordsworth, co-headteachers of Athersley North Primary School, which Rubie and Lillie attended, described the deaths of the two girls and their parents as “heartbreaking news”.

“So many people in our communities will feel this devastating, tragic loss,” they said.

“Rubie was a kind, cheerful and caring girl with a lovely personality. She always worked very hard and was very popular with her friends. She was a fantastic role model for her peers and aspired to be a teacher.

“Lillie was a bright, lively and cheerful little girl who was very popular in her class. She was creative and very determined. Just like her big sister, she wanted to be a teacher.”

Mrs Storr and Mrs Wordsworth said both girls were “an asset to the school and a joy to teach”, adding their loss was “a devastating blow to all who knew them”.

“The girls were an asset to their parents, who always supported them incredibly and who we will also miss very much,” they said.

Image source, BBC/Yunus Mulla

Image description, Flowers were laid near the accident site

Security Minister Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley North, spoke of “devastating news”.

Speaking at X, Mr Jarvis said: “My deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives.”

Superintendent Alan Travis of West Yorkshire Police said: “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 police have also asked all witnesses to come forward.