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A NEIGHBOUR has described speaking to a family minutes before a horror crash which left their daughter an orphan.

Mum Shannen Morgan, dad Shane Roller, and sisters Rubie, nine, and Lillie, four, were killed when a motorbike collided with their car on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley on Sunday afternoon.

A neighbour has described speaking to a family minutes before a horror crash
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A neighbour has described speaking to a family minutes before a horror crashCredit: Facebook
Rubie, nine, and four-year-old Lillie were declared dead at the scene
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Rubie, nine, and four-year-old Lillie were declared dead at the sceneCredit: West Yorkshire Police
Flowers and tributes laid near the tragic accident on the A61 in Wakefield
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Flowers and tributes laid near the tragic accident on the A61 in WakefieldCredit: PA

Now Megan Plummer, who lived on the same road as the "kindest" family, has told how she spoke to them just before the tragic accident.

In a post on Facebook, she wrote: "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.

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"You guys were the kindest family and it has been a pleasure having you as neighbours."

She explained how her own children "adored" playing with the two girls - and Lillie was even a "little girlfriend" to one of her boys.

Megan added that a "big hole" had been left and they all would be "deeply, deeply missed".

She also said she "hoped and prayed"; their orphaned daughter would "find a way to get through this".

It comes after it emerged the young girl had chosen not to join her family for a day out before the tragedy.

The 11-year-old instead went to a pal's house on Sunday afternoon.

Paul Hepple, who was looking after her at the time, said everyone was just tucking into a Sunday roast when the phone rang.

He told : "Her mum actually contacted us and asked if we could watch [the girl] because she didn't want to go on the walk that they went on.

"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 [the girl's] auntie was with us and obviously, [she] was as well.

Shane Roller and Shannen Morgan were in their Ford when the horror unfolded
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Shane Roller and Shannen Morgan were in their Ford when the horror unfoldedCredit: West Yorkshire Police
The parent's eldest daughter had skipped the family day out and has tragically been orphaned
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The parent's eldest daughter had skipped the family day out and has tragically been orphaned
Tributes have flooded in for the 'kindest' family
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Tributes have flooded in for the 'kindest' family
Christopher and Janine Barton were killed in the crash
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Christopher and Janine Barton were killed in the crashCredit: West Yorkshire Police

"And then she got a phone call and she ended up leaving really quickly to go and see what happened."

Paul has since started a GoFundMe to help the child after she "lost her whole world in an instant".

He wrote: "Despite her unimaginable loss, she shows incredible strength every day".

HORROR SMASH

The horror unfolded on Sunday afternoon as the family travelled in their car on the A61 close to Wakefield.

Shocking pictures taken after the smash show the burnt out wreckage of the family's car.

A DELIGHT TO TEACH

STAFF at a primary school have paid tribute to two sisters who were among six people killed in a horrific crash between a family car and a motorbike, saying they were "a delight to teach".

Shane Roller, 33, his 30-year-old partner Shannen Morgan and their daughters Rubie and Lillie Morgan-Roller, aged nine and four, were killed near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on Sunday afternoon.

A GoFundMe page was set up for the couple's 11-year-old daughter, who was not in the car, and had reached £196,000 by Tuesday morning.

Following the tragedy, 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.

"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."

Shannen, 30, Shane, 33, and their daughters Rubie and Lillie were all declared dead at the scene.

Christopher Barton, 56, and wife Janine, 48, were travelling on a motorbike when they collided with the family.

Devastated friends and family have now paid tribute to the family, and vowed to look after the couple's other daughter.

Shane's brother Callum said he was "lost for words", adding: "I'm absolutely heartbroken.

"I'm gonna miss all of you! You all had a heart of gold. My heart is ripped 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 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.

"Everyone will always look after [the eldest girl], she will never want for anything, she has the love of everyone."

My heart just hurts my brain won't accept what's happened

Shannen's cousin Beth Brittain

Her cousin Beth Brittain said: "My heart just hurts my brain won't accept what's happened.

"Shannen you were always my extra sister not just my cousin, we grew together.

"I just can't speak. No words. Sleep tight my little Roller family your memory will live on for eternity."

While another pal added: "My heart is absolutely shattered, I'm lost, I'm numb. It just doesn't seem real that all four off you are gone."

Superintendent Alan Travis of Wakefield District Police said: "This is an absolutely tragic incident which has resulted in the loss of six lives.

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"Our thoughts go out to the families of those who have died who we are working with to provide support at this time."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting reference 1157 of 21/7.

Pictures showed the family's car after the horror
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Pictures showed the family's car after the horrorCredit: YappApp
Mum Shannen, dad Shane, and sisters Rubie and Lillie were all killed
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Mum Shannen, dad Shane, and sisters Rubie and Lillie were all killedCredit: Facebook
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