Neighbour spoke to household simply earlier than fireball crash that killed them
A devastated neighbour has revealed how she spoke to a family moments before a fireball crash that killed the parents and two children, leaving the other daughter orphaned.
Megan Plummer, who lived near Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller, paid tribute to the couple after they were killed alongside their daughters Rubie, nine, and Lillie, four, on Sunday.
The family tragically died after a motorbike collided with their car on the A61 just before 4pm.
The motorbike was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road before the fatal collision on the A61 between Barnsley and Wakefield at around 3.54pm.
The eldest daughter of the 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.
Ms Plummer revealed her ‘absolute devastation’ on social media, writing in a post on Facebook: ‘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.’
Shane Roller, his partner Shannen Morgan, and their children Lillie and Rubie died when their Ford Focus crashed into a motorbike. Their third daughter’s face is obscured in this picture
Megan Plummer, who lived near Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller, paid tribute to the family who died
The family died after a motorbike collided with their car on the A61 just before 4pm on Sunday
Lillie (right) pictured with her older sister Rubie (left)
She added: ‘You will all be deeply, deeply missed and [the road] has been left with a big hole.’
Staff at the primary school the children went to paid a heartfelt tribute to the sisters, calling them ‘a delight to teach’.
Athersley North Primary School issued a statement saying: ‘It is with the deepest sadness that we address the heart-breaking news about Rubie, Lillie and their parents.
‘So many people in our communities will feel this devastating, tragic loss.
‘Rubie was a kind, happy, and caring girl with a lovely personality.
‘She always worked really hard and was well-liked by her friends.
‘She was a fantastic role model for her peers and aspired to be a teacher.
‘Lillie was a bright, bubbly and happy little girl who was a popular member of her class.
‘She was creative and very determined. Just like her big sister, she too aspired to be a teacher.
‘Both girls were an asset to the school and a delight to teach.
‘They were a much-loved part of the school community, and their loss is a devastating blow to everyone who knew them.’
Shane Roller and his partner Shannen Morgan had been driving back with two of their three children after going on a Sunday walk
Lillie and Rubie tragically died in the crash. They are pictured with their surviving sister
The school added: ‘The girls were a credit to their parents, who were always incredibly supportive and who will also be greatly missed.
‘Our heartfelt thoughts are with their sister and her family at this incredibly sad time.’
The family group were travelling in a Ford Focus which was understood to have burst into flames following the collision.
Mr Roller’s brother Callum wrote on Facebook on Sunday: ‘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 shannens side of family and mine! We are all in absolute shock.’
It comes as a family friend revealed how 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, who she has been staying with since the horror crash on Sunday.
Writing in a post on a GoFundMe page, which he set up for her, Paul also said that 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.
Pictures from the aftermath of the crash showed a burnt-out car by the side of the road
An aerial photo taken today of the crash site on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley
‘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 had 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.’
