A mother and father, as well as their two children, have died in a horror motorway crash after a car travelled contraflow on the motorway.
Jade McEnroe, 33, Jaroslaw Rossa, 42, and two boys aged seven and 15, were killed when their Toyota was involved in a crash on the M6 near Tebay services in Cumbria.
The family had been making their way back to Glasgow after a getaway in Legoland, when the horror fireball smash occurred on the M6 at around 4pm on Tuesday.
Another child – a seven-year-old boy – who had been travelling with the family was airlifted from the wreckage by air ambulance, and remains in a serious condition at Royal Victoria Infirmary.
The tragedy also claimed the life of a 40-year-old man from Cambridgeshire who was driving the Skoda which was travelling south on the northbound carriageway.
A GoFundMe page was set up last night by Shelly Keith to help support their grieving family titled: ‘The young family who lost their lives in the tragic M6 Crash.’
She wrote: ‘Sending lots of love. Any help towards funeral costs and to assist the family at this extremely hard time would be very much appreciated!’
The page has since surpassed its £5,000 target raising well £8,240 to help their heartbroken family during this difficult time.
Shelly Keith, a friend of the family, confessed she was ‘overwhelmed by the generosity’ of people.
Ms Keith said she would not comment any further on the tragedy ‘out of respect’ to Ms McEnroe’s family.
The fundraiser said: ‘In addition to the huge emotional loss and impact, there is sadly a financial burden to consider at this time, for both families.’
It called for everyone to ‘offer any financial support’ which may ‘help ease some of the burden’.
Another friend of the family said they were ‘heartbroken’ and that everyone who knew the family had been ‘floored’ by the news.
They said: ‘Our thoughts are with her son and everyone else in the family.’
Another friend Margaret Snodgrass knew Ms McEnroe through her daughter Nicola, who died in a car crash 18 years ago.
The 54-year-old described her as a ‘good mother’ and a ‘lovely girl’ adding: ‘What can you say? It’s just heartbreaking, just unbelievable.
‘It is devastating, and I know how it feels. My thoughts are with them all.’
Ms Snodgrass also shared a photograph of family members said to be involved in the tragedy as she wrote: ‘Heartbreaking such a lovely girl just pray for Arron and thoughts to all at this sad time x.’
She added: ‘Still can’t believe it. I’ve known the family for about 20 years or more used to be pals with my Nicola such a lovely family so sad.’
Tributes from friends have poured in on social media, with one woman named Claire Watt writing: ‘Words are absolutely failing me at this moment.
‘Jade McEnroe I cannot get what has happened out my mind. Absolutely devastating my heart goes out to both families,’ she continued.
‘A beautiful soul taken far too soon you will be truly missed more than you’ll ever know!’
Nicola Thompson, who grew up next to Jade and her parents said: ‘[We] have loads of lovely memories together.
‘Life is so cruel, I’m praying for [the child] who is the most sweetest little boy with his whole life ahead of him. Rest in Peace Jade McEnroe and your beautiful family.’
Meanwhile, the restaurant group Wagamama paid tribute to Mr Rossa, who worked as a chef at its Silverburn venue, adding that the ‘cherished’ chef’s co-workers were ‘heartbroken’.
‘We are heartbroken to hear the tragic news of the passing of Jaroslaw Rossa, a cherished Wagamama chef and friend,’ he said.
‘For the past eight years, Jaroslaw has made a huge impression while working at his home restaurant, Wagamama Silverburn.
‘Forming unforgettable relationships with the team members and guests who had the pleasure of knowing him.
‘Memories made at Silverburn will last a lifetime. His warmth, dedication and kindness are the characteristics of Jaroslaw that will stay with the team long after his passing.
‘We send our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family, for which we know he was deeply devoted to.
‘Jaroslaw, you will live in our hearts and minds forever.’
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.
The force said that they might not be able to confirm identities until next week due to the ‘seriousness’ of the collision.
A force spokesman said: ‘The families of those involved are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘We would also like to thank those that have already been in touch who witnessed or have dashcam of the incident, we continue to appeal to anyone with information or with dashcam to contact us.
‘Anyone with information relating to this incident can report it online, quoting incident number 146 or October 15. You can also phone on 101.’