Orphaned girl, 11, to live with aunt after losing whole family in horror car crash - as fundraiser passes £260,000
23 July 2024, 11:19 | Updated: 23 July 2024, 12:35
An 11-year-old girl whose whole family died in a horror car crash in West Yorkshire is to live with her aunt, a family friend has said.
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Tributes have flooded in for Shane Roller, Shannen Morgan and their children Lillie and Rubie, 4 and 9, after they died when their Ford Focus crashed into a motorbike on Sunday afternoon.
The horrific crash happened near the village of Nermillerdam between Barnsley and Wakefield.
Another man and a woman - the motorcyclist and pillion passenger - also died.
A GoFundMe set up by family friend Paul Hepple to support the child and her future has already raised £260,000 since it was set up yesterday.
To donate to the GoFundme page visit this link
In an update on Tuesday, Mr Hepple said he was "deeply grateful" for the donations.
"The love and support we have received from all of you have been truly overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful."
Regarding the donations, he reassured donors that every penny will go directly to the girl's new guardian, her aunt.
He said her aunt will ensure all funds are used for her well-being, including her living expenses, education, and any counseling she may need.
Additionally, some of the funds may be used for the funeral expenses for the family.
"Thank you all once again for your incredible generosity and support," he added.
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Shane’s brother Callum took to social media last night to say he was ‘lost for words’ following the harrowing incident.
He wrote: “I'm absolutely heartbroken. I'm gonna miss all of you! It's absolutely broken my heart and it's absolutely broken both sides of the family.
“You all had a heart of gold and gonna miss you all like crazy!
"My heart goes out to Shannen's side of the family and mine! We are all in absolute shock!”
"My heart is ripped into a million pieces!!!
"The GoFundMe page states the surviving daughter “lost her whole world in an instant.”
He also claimed the motorbike had been on the wrong side of the road.
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The crash between a Ford Focus and the motorbike occurred on the A61 between Staincross, Barnsley, and Newmillerdam, Wakefield.
Emergency services received reports of the incident at 3.54pm, West Yorkshire Police said.
A man, a woman, a boy and a girl who were travelling in the car were confirmed dead at the scene.
Another man and a woman, the motorcyclist and pillion passenger, also died in the crash.
The road has been closed between Shaw Lane and Warren Lane and is likely to remain shut for some time, police said.
Superintendent Alan Travis, of Wakefield District Police, said: "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."
Anyone with any information has been asked to contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101
