Heartbreaking tributes paid to mum, dad and two daughters killed in horror A61 crash

A girl has been left orphaned after her two sisters and both parents died in a devastating crash on the A61 on Sunday afternoon.

Mum Shannen Morgan and dad Shane Roller died after their vehicle was involved in a crash with a motorbike on the road between Barnsley and Wakefield yesterday.

The tragedy also claimed the lives of their beloved daughters, Lillie and Rubie.

This catastrophic event unfolded as the family's Ford Focus struck a motorbike near Newmillerdam in West Yorkshire at 3.54pm, which also took the lives of the motorbike rider and a pillion passenger.

Friends and family have since paid heartbreaking tributes to the victims. Shane's brother Callum Roller spoke of being "lost for words" in a gut-wrenching message.

"Today we lost two of our nieces, my sister in law and my amazing brother in a car accident," Callum said. 

He added: "I'm absolutely heartbroken I'm gonna miss all of you! It's absolutely broken my heart and it's absolutely broke both side of families! You all had a heart of gold and gonna miss you all like crazy! My heart goes out to Shannen's side of family and mine! We are all in absolute shock!"

A family friend expressed her grief, describing the girls as "beautiful little souls" and lamenting that "Life is so cruel," Beth Rose Brittain, a close friend of the family, referred to Shannen as "my extra sister", struggling to comprehend the tragedy: "I just can't speak. No words. Sleep tight my little Roller family your memory will live on for eternity."

Another close friend of Shannen's, Chelsea, mourned the loss of the family.

She said: "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".

In the wake of Sunday's devastating event, a GoFundMe page has been established for the couple's surviving daughter, which has already raised over £8,000 at the time of writing.

Flowers were seen by the roadside on Monday, mere hours after the accident, while police continued their investigation at the scene.

West Yorkshire Police, who responded to the incident on the A61 on Sunday afternoon along with paramedics, confirmed the tragic loss of all six lives at the scene.

A spokesperson for the force said: "An adult male and female, and two children, both female, who were travelling in the car, were also confirmed dead at the scene. The road has been closed between Shaw Lane and Warren Lane and is likely to remain closed for some time as the investigation continues."

Superintendent Alan Travis of Wakefield District Police added: "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."

He also issued a plea for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward, urging them to contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 if they haven't already done so.