The short version
- A 50-year-old man has been charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal crash on the A61 in July 2024.
- The collision between a silver Ford Focus and a BMW motorcycle resulted in the deaths of four occupants of the car and two riders on the bike.
- An inquest revealed that the motorcycle was overtaking another vehicle when the head-on impact occurred, leading to a fire that trapped the car's occupants.
A man has been formally charged in connection with a devastating road collision on the A61 highway between Barnsley and Wakefield that claimed six lives last July. Christopher Cockell, 50, of Woolley Grange, is scheduled to appear at Leeds Magistrates' Court in October. The charges stem from an investigation by West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team, which concluded its review of the incident with the decision to pursue criminal proceedings against Mr. Cockell.
The crash occurred on July 21, 2024, around 3:50 p.m. local time, on a single-carriageway section of the road between Staincross and Newmillerdam. According to evidence presented at Wakefield Coroner’s Court, a silver Ford Focus driven by Shane Roller collided head-on with a BMW motorcycle operated by Christopher Barton. The impact was severe enough to spin the car into the roadside, where it subsequently caught fire. Emergency responders were unable to extract any of the four occupants from the burning vehicle, and all were pronounced dead at the scene.
Among those who died in the car were Mr. Roller, 33, his partner Shannen Morgan, and their two young daughters, nine-year-old Rubie and four-year-old Lillie. The motorcycle carried Christopher Barton, 56, and his wife Janine, 48, both of Barnsley. The coroner’s support officer, Phil Marr, detailed the mechanics of the crash during the inquest, noting that the motorcycle was in the process of overtaking another vehicle when the collision took place. The road had a posted speed limit of 50 mph at the time.
Pathological reports provided to the court indicated distinct causes of death for the victims based on the nature of their injuries. Mr. Barton’s provisional cause of death was attributed to head and chest trauma sustained in the impact. Mrs. Barton, who was thrown from the motorcycle onto an adjacent golf course during the collision, died from chest injuries. The four individuals in the car succumbed to the effects of the crash and the subsequent fire that engulfed their vehicle.
The tragedy has left significant voids in the local community, with tributes highlighting the close-knit nature of the families involved. Mr. Roller and Ms. Morgan had another daughter, aged 11, who was not present during the accident. In the aftermath, a family friend established an online fundraising campaign that successfully gathered more than £400,000 to support the surviving child. Mr. Roller’s father, Graham, publicly praised his son as a devoted father with a generous spirit and described Ms. Morgan as a humorous and loving mother who cherished her family.
School officials also mourned the loss of the two young girls, Rubie and Lillie, who had attended Athersley North Primary School. Co-head teachers Clare Storr and Kirsty Wordsworth issued a statement describing the children as delightful students who were a credit to their supportive parents. The school community expressed deep sorrow over the sudden loss of the family unit, noting that the parents were consistently engaged and caring.
The Barton couple, who had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, were remembered by their son as loving and selfless parents who prioritized his well-being above all else. A tribute released through West Yorkshire Police in 2024 conveyed the family’s grief and admiration for Christopher and Janine. Floral tributes left at the scene of the collision on the A61 served as a public marker of the community’s shock and sorrow following the incident.
The road was closed for an extended period while forensic teams conducted a thorough inspection of the crash site to gather evidence. The investigation led to Mr. Cockell being summoned to court, marking a significant step in the legal process surrounding the deaths. As the case moves toward its October hearing, the focus remains on the judicial determination of responsibility for the dangerous driving that allegedly caused this multi-fatality accident.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Man charged with causing death by dangerous driving over crash that killed 6
