A YOUNG girl orphaned after her parents and two sisters died in a crash 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 while mum Shannen Morgan, dad Shane Roller, and sisters Rubie, nine, and Lillie, four, headed out.
While the four were travelling back home on the A61, a motorbike collided with their Ford Focus – killing the parents and their two youngest children.
Paul Hepple, who was looking after the 11-year-old at the time, said everyone was just tucking into a Sunday roast when the phone rang.
He told Mail Online: “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.
“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”.
The horror unfolded on Sunday afternoon as the family travelled in their car on the A61 close to Wakefield.
Shocking pictures taken after the horror smash show the burnt out wreckage of the family’s car.
Shannen, 30, Shane, 33, and their daughters Rubie and Lillie were all declared dead at the scene.
The motorcyclist and female passenger were also killed following the collision.
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!”
My heart just hurts my brain won’t accept what’s happened.
Shannen's cousin Beth Brittain
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.”
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.
“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.
