Son was in Thailand when he heard parents had been killed in crash (2024)

The son of a motorbike couple who died in a horror fireball crash was holidaying in Thailand when he heard his parents had been killed.

Lewis, 21, is believed to have flown home as soon as he received the tragic news.

Christopher Barton, 56, and Janine Barton, 48,died in a collision between the motorbike and a Ford Focus on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley on Sunday.

Shane Roller, 33, his partner Shannen Morgan, 30, and their daughters Rubie and Lillie Morgan-Roller, nine and four, were also killed in the crash between their Ford Focus and Mr and Mrs Barton's motorbike.

Their eldest daughter Poppie, 11, has also been left orphaned after she had decided not to join her family for a day out and instead was at a friend's house.

In a tribute released through West Yorkshire Police, Mr and Mrs Barton were described by their son Lewis, 21, as 'a loving, caring mum and dad who always put me before everything else'.

The couple had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, police said.

It comes after it emerged Christopher and Janine were just 20 minutes from home after they had spent a day out at the seaside in Scarborough.

The motorbike was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road before the fatal collision at around 3.54pm.

Today, neighbours in a quiet street in the suburbs of Barnsley where the Bartons lived spoke of their shock at their deaths as one wept: 'I haven't been able to take it in just yet. I'm just heartbroken. We all are.'

The couple's near neighbour Margaret, 87, who did not wish for her surname to be used, said they were a hard-working couple who 'loved life' and were 'always laughing'.

She said: 'I was absolutely heartbroken when I heard the news. It's not fair. It's the biggest tragedy I've ever come across.

'I had choir practice and I knew I wouldn't be able to get through it without breaking down as we sing sad songs.

'What I'm so distraught over – apart from the fact that they were so young – is that Janine was always laughing. Everybody is absolutely devastated on this street.

'They loved life, they'd worked so hard on their house and their garden and they were so young as far as I'm concerned.

'They only finished the garden off about a fortnight ago. I think they were planning a big party to celebrate their anniversary.'

Margaret said the couple, who had lived in the street for around three years, were always friendly and their son was a 'very, very nice young man'.

She added: 'Christopher loved his bikes. They had been out to Scarborough on the bike on the Saturday and were coming home on the Sunday.

'They weren't far away from home at all, it's heartbreaking that two youngsters like that should lose their lives in such an awful way.'

Shane's father and grandfather to Rubie and Lillie today posted a tribute on Facebook to his son, describing him as having a heart of gold.

Graham Roller wrote: 'On Sunday we lost part of our family, Shane Roller, Shannen Morgan and two beautiful little grandaughters in a terrible car accident.

'Shane wasn't just a son but an amazing father and he had a heart of gold . Shannen our daughter in law was funny and was also an amazing mum and they thought the world of there little family.

'They will be very much missed by everyone that new them, but they will always be in our hearts and thoughts forever. Fly high and stay safe together

'Love you more than words can say.'

The eldest daughter of the Morgan-Roller family, named locally as Poppie,had been playing at a friend's house at the time of the tragedy after choosing not to go on a walk with them that afternoon.

A family friend revealed that Poppie is now set to move in with her auntie, who has been described as an 'amazing, loving, and capable guardian'.

The child's new living situation was shared by Paul Hepple, 37, with whom Poppie has been staying with since the horror crash on Sunday.

Writing in a post on a GoFundMe page, which he set up for her, Mr Hepple also said Poppie's remaining family would be 'entirely responsible' for managing its funds.

He said: 'Since the tragic incident, Poppie has been staying with us.

'The love and support we have received from all of you have been truly overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful.

'Regarding the donations, I want to assure you that every penny will go directly to Poppie's new guardian, her auntie.

'Poppie will be staying and living with her auntie, who is an amazing, loving, and capable guardian.

'She will be entirely responsible for managing the donations, ensuring that all funds are used for Poppie's well-being, including her living expenses, education, and any counseling she may need.'

Mr Hepple said he agreed to look after Poppie after getting a phone call from her mother saying she did not want to join them on a walk.

The father-of-four explained they were settling down for a Sunday dinner when they got an emergency phone call.

Mr Hepple said: 'Her mum actually contacted us and asked if we could watch Poppie because she didn't want to go on the walk that they went on.

'So we were watching Poppie as she's best mates with our daughter. She was with our daughter having fun. And on their way home, that's when the accident happened.

'We were having Sunday dinner as a family, and Poppie's auntie was with us and obviously, Poppie was as well. And then she got a phone call and she ended up leaving really quickly to go and see what happened.'

The software developer, who is a long-standing friend of Poppie's parents, has raised more than £31,000 to support her education, emotional support and future care.

He said: 'It's awful. No one is ready for anything like this to happen. She can come any time she likes and we'll do anything we can to help her.'

Mr Hepple described Poppie as a 'bubbly' girl who loved Taylor Swift and said her family was widely liked locally.

He added: 'She's a lovely bubbly girl and everyone loved her family. They were always chatty and turned up to parties all the time.'