Driver charged over fireball crash that killed 6 including family trapped in burning car

Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller died with their daughters Rubie, 9, and Lillie, 4. (Picture: YappApp)

A driver will appear in court to face charges of causing the deaths of six people in a fireball crash on a busy road.

Christopher Cockell, 50, of Gresford Close, Woolley Grange, has been charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Parents Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller were killed with their daughters, Rubie, 9, and Lillie, 4, when the family’s car struck a motorbike on the A61 on 21 July 2024.

The family were trapped inside the burning car.

Husband and wife Christopher and Janine Barton, from Barnsley, who were riding together on one motorbike were also killed in the crash.

A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a crash that killed six people, including two children (Picture: YappApp)

An inquest previously heard that the silver Ford Focus being driven by Mr Roller, 33, collided head on with the BMW motorcycle.

Wakefield Coroner’s Court heard the collision happened as the motorcycle was overtaking another vehicle on the single-carriageway road, which had a 50mph (80 km/h) speed limit.

Coroner’s support officer Phil Marr told the hearing: ‘As a result of a head-on impact, the car was spun to the side of the road, where it caught fire.

‘It was not possible to release any of the occupants and all four were pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.’

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