The family wiped out in horrific motorway inferno

By Jaya Narain and David Wilkes
Last updated at 9:05 AM on 23rd October 2008

This is the family of six tragically wiped out in a motorway fireball when a lorry smashed into their car.

David Statham, 38, and his wife Michelle, 33, were driving on the M6 with their three sons and ten-week-old daughter Ellouise.

They had just taken Ellouise to visit her maternal grandparents in Birmingham for the first time and were returning to their home in North Wales.

Last night it emerged that they had decided

Hours after waving goodbye, the grandparents, Peter and Carole Hagans, received a phone call informing them the family was dead.

The Stathams' car had been travelling north on the M6 in slow-moving traffic when it was hit from behind by a truck driven by a Portuguese driver.

It was shoved into the rear of another lorry before bursting into flames. The family were trapped inside the crushed car as it burned ferociously on the motorway near Sandbach, Cheshire.

By the time emergency services reached the scene, Mr Statham, a chef, his wife, a mortgage adviser, and their sons Reece, 13, Jay, nine, Mason, 20 months, and baby Ellouise were dead.

They had lived in Birmingham before moving to Llandudno five years ago.

Mr Statham's uncle, Alan Moult, 66, said: 'They had been down this weekend and were due to stay longer but decided on the spur of the moment to go back.'

Then the confirmation came and it has just knocked us for six.

'The police called to ask about their car and at first I thought it had just been stolen. We just can't believe it.'

Mr Statham, 38, worked at private boarding and day school St David's College, in Llandudno.

School bursar Judith Leslie said: 'The whole of St David's community was devastated to hear of the awful tragedy and our thoughts are with David's family.

Michelle's parents are in pieces and David's mother is just about breathing. We just can't come to terms with it.'

Mr Statham, who would have been 39 on Sunday, had worked as a chef at St David's College, a private school in Llandudno, for two years.

His neighbour Vince Collina, 49, said: 'They were a wonderful, model family, just six beautiful people.

'The kids were so polite and the parents hard-working, they were really neighbourly.

'They were always pleasant and chatty and really contributed to a sense of public spirit on the street.

He said Mr Statham's mother, Angela, who is suffering ill health, had not managed to see Ellouise before the tragedy.

Mr Statham was raised in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. His father, Alan, died last year.

Last night a statement from Mrs Statham's family said: 'She was a wonderful mother to four beautiful children.

'David was a fantastic son-in-law, a big-hearted, mild-mannered father and husband.

'Mason liked to call Ellouise Twinkletoes. Michelle, David, Reece, Jay, Mason, and Ellouise will be missed by everyone. We have been lucky to have known them.'

Mr Statham's brother-in-law Richard Holmes said: 'No one in the family can believe what has happened.

'Everybody is really shocked and traumatised.

'They had lived here for about four years.

'I was painting my house when they moved in and Michelle asked if I could paint theirs - so I did.

'My heart just sank when I found out and my mouth went dry.

'David was a well-liked member of staff, always had a friendly smile and would lend a helping hand - nothing was ever too much trouble.

'He will be very sadly missed.

'He made a huge impression because he was so amiable and cheerful.

'Everybody is desperately upset.'

Mrs Statham, 33, worked as a financial adviser at Beresford Adams estate agency in the seaside town.

Her boss, Mark Slater, said: 'We are all devastated.

'Michelle was a very popular and well respected member of staff, not just with her colleagues but across the branches.

'She was not just a colleague, she was a friend to many.'

Irene Perry, headmistress of Reece's school, John Bright Secondary school, said: 'Reece was in our year nine and was a model pupil.

'He was courteous, cheerful and always positive and he was an avid Aston Villa fan.

'One of our fondest memories of him is when he did a bible reading with his strong Brummie accent, of which he was very proud.

'He had a lovely smile and will be sorely missed. There is a very sad atmosphere at school this morning.'

Nine-year-old Jay attended Blessed William Primary school.

A school spokesman said: 'The Stathams were a wonderful, devoted family and we are heartbroken and devastated by the news.

'We have had phone calls this morning from various schools giving their condolences.'

Mr Statham grew up with his parents and sister in a semi-detached house in Gibbons Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.

Neighbours said his father, Alan Statham, died 14 months ago and his 'very frail' mother Angela has since moved to a different address and was staying with relatives following the tragedy.

Judy Alexander, who lives next door to the family home, which is in the process of being sold, said she had been 'shocked to the core' when she was told the news.
She said Reece and Jay used to stay with their grandparents in the school holidays and were very close to them.

'The older boys, Reece and Jay, used to play with my son,' she said. 'We have a big trampoline in the garden - they used to play on it with Kyle.

'The boys were boisterous, active and full of energy.

'Reece especially was close to his granddad. He was a proper granddad's boy. He was devastated when he died.'

She said David and Michelle Statham had desperately wanted a little girl and finally got their wish when Elouise was born 10 weeks ago.

Mrs Alexander said: 'From what I know, Angela had never seen her granddaughter.
'I do not know if she had the time this weekend.'

She said she understood the family had planned another trip to the West Midlands next weekend.

She added: 'I just feel so shocked. It's terrible. They were just a normal, nice family.
'They moved away from Birmingham to have a slightly nicer quality of life, which hopefully they found in Wales.'

Mr Statham was a keen rugby fan and also liked to play snooker with his father, another neighbour said.

A cousin of the family, Karen Mcmillan, paid tribute to her relatives on the memorial website Gone Too Soon.

She said: 'Words cannot say how we feel to have lost six of our family so cruelly.

'We are all devastated and our hearts go out to auntie Ange and Irene and family.

'You made a good life for your family Dave and our only solace is that you are all still together.

'All of our love to you all Karen, Tracey, Daryl, Beverley and Alison and all our families xxxxxx.'

Mrs Statham's brother, Alex Hagans, aged 20, wrote on his Facebook web page: 'RIP Michelle, David, Reece, Jay, Mason and Elouise. We all can't believe this happened.'

Friends posted messages of support on the page. One wrote: 'Hi Alex, I am so sorry to hear what has happened, send my love to your mum, dad and Angela for me and let me know if there is anything I can do. They will always be in my heart and thoughts xxxx.'

Friends Kelly and Shawn Pugh wrote on Gone Too Soon: 'I can't believe what has happened to you all.

'I know we have not been in touch for some time, but the fond memories of our late teenage years will never be forgotten!

'We had some fun times! Taffy and Shell - you are in a better place with your four angels.'

Police have been given an extension to 11.45pm on Thursday to continue questioning Portuguese driver Paulo Jorge Silva, 46, who is in custody on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.