Death crash police seeking tanker

Tribute from victim's family

Police investigating a crash in the Cotswolds in which seven people died are trying to trace a tanker driver who may be an important witness.

The dark, patterned vehicle was seen in the vicinity of the accident on the A429 near Stow-on-the-Wold on Friday.

A 10-year-old boy and his nine-year-old sister, who survived the crash, remain critically ill in hospital in Bristol.

The children were in one of two cars that collided head-on as one tried to overtake another vehicle.

Their grandparents and aunt, travelling with them in a VW Passat, were killed in the accident.

I don't think it's sunk in, it's such a dreadful shock Veronica Woodford, family friend

The driver of the other car, named locally as Jason Brain, 35, died with three other occupants in a Peugeot.

It was described by police as one of the "worst ever" collisions in the county.

Passat driver, 53-year-old John Kirby, died at the scene on Friday evening.

His wife, 61-year-old Margaret, later died in hospital, as did the couple's 34-year-old daughter, Julie Kirby, from Stow-on-the-Wold.

Ms Kirby and her nephew and niece had been rear-seat passengers in the Passat.

Money raised

Family friend, Veronica Woodford said: "I don't think it's sunk in, it's going to take a long time, it's such a dreadful shock.

"The saga goes on with the rest of the family, I'm afraid, as the two children are still in hospital."

The cars crashed head-on as the Peugeot tried to overtake another car, a Gloucestershire Police spokesman said.

The other three people in the Peugeot, who died at the scene, were Michola Jones, 31, and a 15-year-old girl - all from Moreton-in-Marsh - and Ryan Bott, 20, from Chipping Norton.

Neither of the female occupants of the car that was overtaken were hurt.

A collection for the family, started by local newsagent Dave Haytree, has already raised more than £100.

'Thought and prayer'

"It's like, what can we do to help the family," he said.

"Everyone in Stow's been putting money into it. It's just showing the depth of how people feel."

The Rev David Francis, vicar of St Edward's Church in Stow-on-the-Wold, said: "Obviously at the moment, a lot of thought and prayer is focussing on the two children in hospital and on their parents."

A special assembly has been held at Stow-on-the-Wold primary school where the injured children are pupils.

A statement from the school said: "We were all shocked to hear the tragic news.

"The children will be writing messages and cards to their friends in hospital to help them make a speedy recovery. "