A MUM who was killed in a horror crash on the M6 involving a car which reportedly drove the “wrong way” has been named locally as Jade McEnroe.
The 33-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene along with a 42-year-old man and two boys, aged 15 and seven, who were all travelling together in a Toyota.
A third boy aged seven, understood to be Jade’s and who was also in the vehicle, was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by air ambulance with serious injuries.
They were travelling back from Legoland at the time of the crash, according to local reports.
A 40-year-old man from Cambridgeshire, who was driving a Skoda said to be travelling south on the northbound carriageway also died at the scene.
Terrified fellow motorists had called 999 to report the Skoda on the M6, moments before flames erupted from the two vehicles as they crashed into each other.
Formal identification of those killed has not yet taken place, but their families are being supported by specialist police officers.
Maggie Snodgrass, 54, who knew spa therapist Jade, has since paid tribute to the mum.
She told The Times: ““I just cannot believe it. It is so heartbreaking.
“She was very nice, very pleasant and a quiet lassy. Jade always had a smile on her face.”
Snodgrass described Jade as a “good mum” and a “lovely and down-to-earth girl”.
She said that when the mum walked past her flat “she always used to pop in and say hello”.
“It is devastating”, she said.
Referring to McEnroe’s mother’s grief, Snodgrass added: “I know how it feels.”
Jade’s friends have also shared their tributes of the “wonderful mum” on social media.
One wrote: “Always got her the same way, always kind with a beautiful smile on her face.
“Praying for your wee boy’s recovery and for all the families affected by this absolute tragedy.”
Another said: “Absolutely devastating news. Life is so so cruel.”
Cumbria Police said investigations were continuing into Tuesday’s collision, which happened as drivers reported that digital displays on the motorway were warning of an “oncoming vehicle”.
Signs on the northbound carriageway were said to have been flashing “oncoming vehicle” and advising drivers to slow to 20mph.
One motorist claimed he saw the Skoda travelling the “wrong way down lane three” and then, shortly after, he witnessed “smoke and flames”.
Officers were on their way when further calls were received reporting the Skoda had been involved in a head-on collision with a Toyota, the force said.
The horror crash took place on the M6 Northbound, just past Tebay Services in Cumbria, with police called to the scene at 4.04pm Tuesday afternoon.
The force said yesterday that officers were called to the scene of a fatal crash between a Skoda and Toyota on the major motorway, and confirmed that five people died.
The incident is thought to have happened in an area of roadworks between junctions 38 and 39.
Two air ambulances were called and there were plumes of thick smoke.
The motorway was closed between junctions 36 and 39 and did not reopen until early on Wednesday.
Four fire engines from nearby Penrith, Kendal and Shap were mobilised following the incident, and fire crews remained at the scene for several hours.
The motorway reopened a few hours after the 4pm incident.
