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Barnstaple crash – Hubby and eldest son witness in rear view mirror as wifey, 43, and twin children, 12, are killed in car crash with M – S lorry on way to Devon holiday

Barnstaple crash – Spouse and eldest son witness in rear view mirror as wifey, 43, and twin children, 12, are killed in car crash with M&S lorry on way to Devon holiday

Three members of the same family were killed while on holiday in Devon

TWELVE-year-old twins died alongside their mum in a horror road crash witnessed by her spouse and older son who were driving in another car during a family holiday.

The youngsters were travelling with their mum when their silver saloon car collided with an M&S lorry on the A361 in North Devon in the 2nd week of the school holidays.

Cops said this morning that the forty three year old mother died at the scene of the smash on Monday morning.

Her 12-year-old daughter was pronounced dead at the North Devon District Hospital at nearby Barnstaple, while her twin brother died soon after being flown there by air ambulance.

Today a van driver who despairingly attempted to help the family has told of the ordeal.

In an emotional Facebook post by his fiancée Leanne, she said: “My fucking partner was there today, he seen the car and him and my brother hopped out the van and attempted there best to help but couldn't get the car door open even with a crow bar.

“All he has does is sob at the photo he has stuck in his head (sic).

“Such an awful thing for the fellow that has lost his family in a matter of minutes, my heart goes out to him.”

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The trio were travelling in a white Kia Sportage vehicle towards Barnstaple when the collision happened near Aller Cross.

Police investigators said the Kia crossed the white centre line for some “unknown reason” and struck the front of the oncoming HGV lorry.

The woman's hubby and their fourteen year old son were driving in a separate vehicle in front of them at the embark of a family holiday.

The family are from Milton Keynes, Bucks.

A Devon and Cornwall police spokesman said:”A forty three year old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her twelve year old daughter was pronounced dead on arrival at North Devon District Hospital.

“Her twelve year old son was taken to hospital via Air Ambulance but died shortly after his arrival.

“The family were from the Milton Keynes area and were travelling in a separate vehicle from her hubby and their fourteen year old son. They were not directly involved in the incident.”

Their names have not yet been released and police say it could be another day before they are exposed.

The main North Devon Link road was shut in the area for nine hours while investigators attempted to find out what caused the tragedy.

They appealed for anyone with information to contact the Exeter serious collision team.

The dad was in a separate car and witnessed the tragedy in his rear view mirror while ­driving ahead of them.

The family, believed to be from the Milton Keynes area, were on hoilday together in Devon and were travelling towards Barnstaple when the crash occurred inbetween Aller Cross and Landkey at around 8.25am.

The woman and one of the children died at the scene.

The other youngster was taken to ­hospital by air ambulance but died a brief time later.

Police Inspector Richard McLellan said from the scene: “It seems at the moment we had two cars travelling towards Barnstaple – a family on holiday in the area – when for an unknown reason the vehicle had crossed the centre lines and collided with an HGV coming the other way.”

He confirmed her hubby was in front of her when the crash happened and eyed what happened.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to get in touch.

A road closure has been put on at West Buckland junction and the Lankey junction on the A361 while officers conduct scene investigations.

The closure is likely to be on all day and motorists are being advised to avoid the area.

Mr McLellan said the fatal crash was a “terrible coincidence” to when a mother and her two children were earnestly injured the day before when their car which crashed into a trailer.

A woman in her 30s, along with a child, seven, and a nine-year-old all sustained serious injuries and are presently in hospital.

North Devon Tory MP Peter Heaton-Jones branded the A361 “not a safe road”.

He said: “We don't know the causes at the moment but people are taking too many risks because there are brief overtaking lanes that all of a sudden merge at not much notice.”

A spokesman for M&S said: “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and friends of the individuals involved.”

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