A man has been charged over a crash that killed six people including a couple and two of their children.

Christopher Cockell, 50, is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on October 28 charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller died alongside two of their daughters – Rubie, nine, and Lillie, four – when the family’s car collided with a motorbike on the A61 on July 21, 2024. 

Christopher and Janine Barton, from Barnsley, who were both on the motorcycle, also died. 

An inquest previously heard that the silver Ford Focus being driven by Mr Roller, 33, collided head on with the BMW motorcycle being driven by Mr Barton, 56, at around 3.50pm between Staincross and Newmillerdam. 

Shane’s brother, Callum, wrote on social media at the time to say he was ‘lost for words’ following the harrowing incident.

‘I’m absolutely heartbroken. I’m gonna miss all of you! It’s absolutely broken my heart and it’s absolutely broken both sides of the family!’ he wrote. 

‘You all had a heart of gold and gonna miss you all like crazy! My heart goes out to Shannen’s side of the family and mine! We are all in absolute shock!’

A GoFundMe set up at the time to help Mr Roller and Ms Morgan’s surviving daughter, then 11, with her education, emotional support and future care raised more than £400,000. 

Shane Roller, his partner Shannen Morgan, and their children Lillie and Rubie died when their Ford Focus crashed into a motorbike

A GoFundMe page has now been set up to pay for their surviving daughter’s education, emotional support and future care 

Lillie and Rubie tragically died in the crash. They are pictured with their surviving sister 

Teachers of Athersley North Primary School, which Rubie and Lillie had attended, said the girls had been ‘a delight to teach’.

In a statement, Clare Storr and Kirsty Wordsworth, said: ‘The girls were a credit to their parents, who were always incredibly supportive and who will also be greatly missed.’

Footage of the aftermath of the crash showed a burnt-out car and a large police presence on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley.

West Yorkshire Police described the collision as an ‘absolutely tragic incident’ and called for witnesses to come forward with dashcam footage.

The surviving daughter has been described as ‘bright and resilient’, with an ‘infectious smile and a kind heart’. 

The fundraising page said she enjoys playing football and playing outdoors, and is also a ‘huge Taylor Swift fan’. 

It is understood the family’s Ford Focus burst into flames after colliding with the motorbike. Images show the blackened and mangled wreckage of the vehicle in a grass verge.

Debris, believed to be from the motorbike, could be seen strewn in the middle of the road.

An aerial photo taken of the crash site on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley in 2024

Pictures from the aftermath of the crash showed a burnt-out car by the side of the road 

West Yorkshire Police described the collision as an ‘absolutely tragic incident’

Superintendent Alan Travis of Wakefield District Police said at the time: ‘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.’