‘Loving and caring’ husband and wife who died in fiery crash that killed family and left girl, 11, an orphan are named
TRIBUTES have been paid to a married couple who died in a crash that left a schoolgirl orphaned when her parents and sisters were killed.
Christopher Barton, 56, and wife Janine, 48, were travelling on a motorbike when they collided with Shannen Morgan, Shane Roller, and sisters Rubie, nine, and Lillie, four.
The pair were both declared dead at the scene on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley.
Their son has now paid tribute to the couple, who had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
He said his parents were a “loving, caring mum and dad who always put me before everything else”.
The horror unfolded on Sunday afternoon when the pair motorcycle’s collided with the family’s Ford Focus.
Shannen, 30, Shane, 33, and their daughters Rubie and Lillie were all declared dead at the scene.
The couple’s eldest daughter Poppie, 11, had not joined her family for a day out and was instead at a friend’s home at the time.
It comes after a family member asked people “not to lay flowers” at Shane and Shannen’s door.
In a Facebook post, she wrote: “Firstly I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone for there kind words, love and heart felt condolences.
“Secondly, and I mean this in the kindest way possible, can I please ask people not to lay flowers at Shannen and Shane’s door.
“Poppie will need her home life to be as normal as her new normal can be. Thank you.”
A neighbour today told how she had spoken to the tragic parents before the horror.
Megan Plummer said: “Shane, Shannen, Rubie and Lillie.
“Words can’t even begin to describe the absolute devastation of what’s happened.
“To be talking to you outside and within an hour you’re taken away is just madness and my heart actually hurts.
“You guys were the kindest family and it has been a pleasure having you as neighbours.”
She explained how her own children “adored” playing with the two girls – and Lillie was even a “little girlfriend” to one of her boys.
Megan added that a “big hole” had been left and they all would be “deeply, deeply missed”.
She also said she “hoped and prayed” their orphaned daughter would “find a way to get through this”.
A GoFundMe launched to help Poppie has received more than £279,000 in donations.
Family friend Paul Hepple launched the page to help the schoolgirl after she “lost her whole world in an instant”.
He wrote: “Despite her unimaginable loss, she shows incredible strength every day”.
Tributes have flooded in from Shane and Shannen’s loved ones, who vowed to look after Poppie.
Shane’s brother Callum said he was “lost for words”, adding: “I’m absolutely heartbroken. I’m gonna miss all of you! You all had a heart of gold. My heart is ripped into a million pieces!”
Shannen’s friend Chelsea Element wrote: “You are and always will be one of my closest friends.
“There are no words to describe the utter loss this has created for family/friends and the community around us.
“I hope you’re at peace Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller, with your beautiful girls.
“Everyone will always look after [the eldest girl], she will never want for anything she has the love of everyone.”
Her cousin Beth Brittain said: “My heart just hurts my brain won’t accept what’s happened.
“Shannen you were always my extra sister not just my cousin, we grew together. I just can’t speak. No words. Sleep tight my little Roller family your memory will live on for eternity.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting reference 1157 of 21/7.