A man arrested over a horrific fireball crash which left six people dead has been bailed pending further inquiries.
The man was held on Wednesday morning on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after four members of the same family and a married couple were killed in the crash on the A61 near Barnsley on Sunday afternoon.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed he has now been released on bail while detectives also issued an appeal for anyone who saw a Porsche car being driven in the area around the time of the collision.
Shane Roller, 33, his 30-year-old partner, Shannen Morgan, and two of their three daughters, Rubie and Lillie Morgan-Roller, aged nine and four, died when their Ford Focus car was in a collision with a motorbike.
The married couple on the BMW S100 XR motorbike – Christopher Barton, 56, and Janine Barton, 48 – also died in the crash.
Shane Roller, his partner Shannen Morgan, and their children Lillie and Rubie also died when their Ford Focus crashed into Mr and Mrs Barton’s motorbike. Their third daughter, whose face is obscured, has been orphaned
Christopher (right), 56, and Janine Barton (left), 48, who were riding a motorbike at the time of the crash, were described by their son as ‘a loving, caring mum and dad who always put me before everything else’
Forensic officers at the scene of the horrific crash on the A61 in Wakefield on Sunday afternoon
Detective Sergeant Steven Suggitt said: ‘I would like to appeal for anyone who may have seen this grey Porsche 911 being driven on the roads around the south of Wakefield or north of Barnsley to please contact us.
‘I would also urge anyone who has dashcam, doorbell or CCTV footage of this car, that may assist our investigation, to please contact us.’
The crash happened on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley shortly before 4pm on Sunday. All six victims died at the scene with the Ford Focus said to have exploded after leaving the road.
Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller’s daughter Poppie, 11, was not in the car after she decided not to join her family for a day out.
Christopher and Janine Barton’s 21-year-old son, Lewis, has also been left orphaned by the crash, and yesterday described his parents as ‘a loving, caring mum and dad who always put me before everything else’.
The couple had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and 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.
The Morgan-Roller family died after the couple’s motorbike collided with their car on the A61 on Sunday
Lillie (right) and her big sister Rubie (left), who both died in the tragic crash
Lillie and Rubie tragically died in the crash. They are pictured with their surviving sister
Flowers and tributes laid near scene on the A61 in Wakefield, following a collision between a car and a motorcycle on Sunday afternoon
Lewis was believed to be on holiday in Thailand at the time of the horror crash and flew home after hearing the news.
On Tuesday, neighbours from the quiet street of suburban Barnsley home to the Bartons 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 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 Roller and his partner Shannen Morgan had been driving back with two of their three daughters after going on a Sunday walk
Christopher and Janine were just 20 minutes from home after they had spent a day out at the seaside in Scarborough
Flowers have been left near the scene of the fatal crash between Barnsley and Wakefield
Shane Roller’s father, and grandfather to Poppie, Rubie and Lillie, yesterday 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 granddaughters 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 their little family.
‘They will be very much missed by everyone that knew 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 aunt, 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 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.’
An aerial photo taken on Monday of the crash site on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley
West Yorkshire Police described the collision as an ‘absolutely tragic incident’ and called for witnesses to come forward with dashcam footage
Mr Hepple said he agreed to look after Poppie after receiving a phone call from her mother saying she did not want to join the family 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 £340,000 to put towards 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.’
