A British man has been arrested over a horrific crash that orphaned an 11-year-old girl, leaving her with an “uncertain future”.
Shannen Morgan, Shane Roller and sisters Ruby, 9, and Lily, 4, were killed when the motorbike collided with their Ford Focus as the family drove home after a Sunday outing.
Poppy escaped tragedy because she chose not to join her family for the day and instead went to a friend's house for dinner, but now she faces life without her next of kin.
Also killed were 56-year-old Christopher Barton and his 48-year-old wife, Janine, who were riding the motorcycle.
Police have now confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The sun reports.
News of the tragedy hit global headlines after a GoFundMe for Poppy, from the British town of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, described her plight.
Almost £380,000 (about AU$745,000) has now been raised since Sunday's tragedy.
Her organiser, family friend Paul Hepple, looked after Poppy at the time and described her as a “bright and resilient young lady” who turned to Taylor Swift's music to find solace after “losing her whole world in an instant”.
“Despite the unimaginable loss, she shows incredible strength every day,” he wrote during the fundraiser.
“Poppy now faces an uncertain future. With her immediate family gone, she needs support to provide a stable, loving environment where she can heal and grow.”
The horror unfolded on Sunday afternoon as the family drove their car along a major trunk road in northern England.
Shocking pictures taken after the tragedy show the charred wreckage of the family's car.
Shannen, 30, Shane, 33, and their daughters Ruby and Lily were pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Hepple said everyone was eating their roast when the phone rang with the terrible news.
“Her mum contacted us and asked if we could have a look [the girl] because she didn't want to go on the walk they went on,' he told Mail Online.
“She and our daughter had fun. And on the way home, an accident happened.
“We had lunch on Sunday as a family, and [the girl’s] aunt was with us and obviously [she] was also.
“And then she got a call and she went down really quickly to see what happened.”
Christopher and Janine Lewis' son, 21, was on holiday in Thailand when he learned of his parents' deaths and is believed to have flown home immediately. Mail Internet reports.
He was also left an orphan, the publication adds.
In a tribute released by West Yorkshire Police, the couple were described by their son as “a loving, caring mum and dad who always put me first”.
The couple had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, police said, adding that Christopher and Janine were just 20 minutes from home when the collision happened.
They spent the day at the seaside in Scarborough.
Devastated friends and family of Shannen and Shane have paid tribute to the family on social media, pledging to look after Poppy.
Shane's brother, Callum, said he was 'at a loss for words', adding: 'I am absolutely heartbroken. I will miss you! Everyone had a heart of gold. My heart is torn 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 complete loss this has created for the family/friends and community around us.
“I hope you are at peace with Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller with your beautiful girls.
“Everyone will always take care [the eldest girl]she will never need anything, everyone loves her.''
Her cousin Beth Britton said: “I'm just heartbroken, my brain can't take in what's happened.
“Shannen, you've always been my extra sister, not just my cousin, we grew up together. I just can't speak. There are no words. Rest in peace, my little Roller family, your memory will live forever.”
While another added: “I'm absolutely heartbroken, I'm lost, I'm speechless. It just doesn't seem real that all four of you are gone.'
Superintendent Alan Travis, of Wakefield District Police, said: “This is an absolutely tragic incident which has left six people dead.
“Our thoughts go out to the families of those who lost their lives, who we are working with to provide support at this time.”
Police are appealing for “anyone who has a dash cam, doorbell or CCTV footage of this vehicle” to contact them and help with the investigation.
They also publicly appealed to anyone who saw the gray Porsche 911 at the time of the crash to come forward.
