THREE children and their mother have died after a crash between a truck and a people carrier on the A40 just outside Oxford.
Zoe Powell died alongside her two daughters, Phoebe, eight, and Amelia, four, and their six-year-old brother Simeon.
Her husband Josh, 30, and their 18-month-old baby girl survived the crash and remain at the John Radcliffe Hospital in 'critical but stable condition'.
READ MORE Five ambulances race to horrific crash on A40
Officers from Thames Valley Police remain on the scene of the collision on the A40, near to the railway overbridge just to the west of Oxford.
Emergency services were called at 9.50pm last night to reports of a two-vehicle collision involving a silver Subaru people carrier and a white 'heavy goods' vehicle.
The driver of the truck, a 56-year-old man, suffered minor injuries.
Senior Investigating Officer Sergeant Dominic Mahon, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, based at Bicester, said: "We are in the very early stages of our investigation into this incredibly tragic incident that has resulted in the deaths of four people from the same family.
"The next of kin of the family have been made aware and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers.
"The thoughts of all of us at Thames Valley Police, along with our partners who have assisted at the scene or at the hospital, are with the families at this incredibly difficult time.
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"I would like to also pay tribute to our officers, first responders and medical professionals, who dealt with this collision.
“Our officers and colleagues from the other emergency services were dealing with an extremely upsetting scene, and I would like to thank them for the work that they carried out overnight.
“Our officers remain at the scene and the A40 will remain closed in both directions for a considerable period of time while this investigation continues.
"This is an absolute tragedy, and again I would ask the public and the media not to speculate as to the cause, as we continue to support the families of all of the victims.
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The force appealed to anybody who was driving in the area at the time of the collision and witnessed what happened to please contact 101, or make a report online, quoting reference number 43200321914.
Anybody who has dash-cam footage of the incident or either of the vehicles just prior the incident is also asked to contact police with this detail.
Community answers
Book of Condolence for mother and children who died in horror crash
"We wish to offer the community a place to send their condolences after such tragic news. Whether you knew them or you just want to send your thoughts, this is a space for you to do so. Please know we will moderate content to ensure this remains a respectful space."
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
What is your response?My love and thoughts are definitely with this beautiful little family right now. Dearest Josh and Penny, my heart breaks for you both but please make a speedy recovery. Lots and lots of love xxxxxxx
What is your response?I don't know the family, it so sad that a family has been torn apart. I hope the mum and the three little ones are holding hands on their way to heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with the dad and youngest sister for a speedy recovery and for the families that are affected in this tragedy.
What is your response?Sending my love to family and fingers cross for the father and his little girl, so so sad god bless you all, Sarah WSM.xxx
What is your response?How absolutely devastatingly tragic. RIP mum and three children who were taken so prematurely. May dad and the remaining child recover and find peace. All our thoughts from Chesham.
What is your response?This is beyond tragic. Mum and three of her beautiful children gone, in a split second. May they rest in peace together and may Dad and little one pull through too. Also thinking of everybody who witnessed what happened and the emergency services at the scene. It must have been extremely distressing.
What is your response?Very sad & tragic news, heartfelt condolences to the families that remain.
What is your response?Our thoughts and prayers are with all family and friends of those tragically taken, along with those in hospital too. Absolutely Heartbreaking, God bless little Angels Who Now rest with their mummy, after such a tragedy.
What is your response?Such sad and shocking news. I've driven on that road with my own family. Can't imagine what the father will go through now with his daughter. Thoughts and prayers to all the family.
What is your response?I am deeply saddened by this tragedy having gone through my own tragedy in the last few months I cant begin to put into words how the family must feel the mother will be holding onto her children in heaven tonight praying for her husband and baby to pull through what an unimaginable thing to happen and those poor people who witnessed this accident RIP
What is your response?Reading the news of this traumatic and absolutely heartbreaking incident really is truly upsetting! I have hope that dad and his young child in hospital recover but I cannot begin to believe the emotional trauma they will suffer! God bless.
What is your response?This is simply too sad for words. I just pray for everyone involved. I don't know this family or their beautiful children but I will never forget them
What is your response?My thoughts are with the family and friends of this tragedy having gone through my tragedy I send them all my love and hope the dad and the child recover soon got my fingers crossed thank you to the emergency services for witnessing such an horrific accident RIP
What is your response?I had the privilege of meeting this gorgeous family a few times at our home church around Christmas time. Zoe and the children had such a fantastic faith that was inspiring to those around them. They each loved Christ and it is a comfort to their family and church family to know that they are now resting in the arms of God. I’m sure that the children will love to explore the Kingdom of God with their precious Mummy at their side. I thank God for the precious lives you led, the lives of those around you that you touched and the legacy you leave behind. I’m thinking and praying for my dear home village and church in Chinnor this evening as they come to terms with such a tragedy. Xx
What is your response?To the family and friends and people connected to the family we send our uttermost sympathy to you all. To the driver of the other vehicle we pray for you.to all the emergency services sending our thoughts for your dealing of such an horrific incident. To the father and baby girl wishing you a safe recovery. Your angels are looking down on you ,????????????????????????????
What is your response?So sorry to hear about this desperate accident. May Mum and children be with God. May Dad and little one recover. God bless you.
What is your response?I’m so very sorry about this , I will Pray for you and your family , lots of love xxx
What is your response?Such sad news just hope the husband and the baby pull condolences to their family and friends at this awful time
What is your response?Absolutely heartbreaking! I cannot begin to imagine what the families are going through. As a mother of 3 myself, doesn't bare thinking about. My thoughts go out to the emergency services and all who was involved or attended the scene, Rest in perfect peace mummy and babies, payer's to daddy and little girl x x
What is your response?Sending thoughts and prayers to all you at this tragic time.
What is your response?I wish to express my deepest condolences to the survivors, and their family and friends. No one should have to suffer such a tragic fate.
What is your response?What heartbreaking news my prayers are with the father and youngest child. May the mother and her 3 children gently rest in god’s arms.
What is your response?There are no words to express my sadness. To have such a young family ripped apart in such a way is just unimaginable. I had to drive passed the accident scene today, and I’m not ashamed to say that I cried. To know what happened there was so sad. I hope the mum is holding her children’s hands up in heaven, while we all pray for husband and baby. R.I.P. x
What is your response?My heart goes out to the lorry driver and all those attending or witnessed the accident. To the father and young child, I hope for best outcome.
What is your response?so sad, heartbreaking
What is your response?I live in Denmark and have just heard this sad news on BBC Radio 4. I don't know the family at all but all those deaths will have ripple effects on everyone who knew them. Praying for the father and remaining child, I cannot imagine, if they survive, how they will cope with this.
What is your response?So sorry, my heart is breaking. It’s just so sad, I have no words.
What is your response?I have a tear in my eye as I write this. Words can’t express how awful this is. I just can’t comprehend. I will think about you all. And everyone that witnessed these devastating events that will stay with them forever. Love.
What is your response?We are devastated to hear this tragic news and our love and thoughts go out to the family at this sad time.
What is your response?This is desperately sad, a young mother and 3 young children taken so tragically. I hope you are all at peace in the devine arms of our saviour Jesus Christ. My prayers are with you all and your husband and baby who i prayer make a full recovery. God bless you all.
What is your response?Truly heartbreaking condolences to your family and friends ????????????
What is your response?I don’t know the family, I live in Cumbria. I heard the sad story on the radio. I cannot imagine what both families are going through. My thoughts and prays are with you all.
What is your response?Sending strength and love to you and all in your extended family, from a mum in Oxford.
What is your response?My thoughts are with those left behind. May they rest in eternal peace, and may strength be given to the father and child.
What is your response?So sad to hear this tragic news at the lost of 4 precious lives and hope that the husband and youngest child make a recovery as they will need each other.
What is your response?Can’t imagine the feelings of anyone involved in in this situation. I never usually take to social media but this is another level. Bless you.
What is your response?So sorry to hear of this loss to so many young people, my thoughts are with you all x
What is your response?From a mother of four in Denbigh, my thoughts and prayers to all in any way connected to this tragic accident. May you somehow know His Peace in the midst of your grief and tears.
What is your response?Absolute heartbreaking news. So sorry for all involved in this accident & may the beautiful little angels we tragically lost RIP
What is your response?Sending our love to the father of the family involved in this horrendous tragic accident, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Words can’t comprehend the sadness I feel for you, having lost my daughter to a tragic accident.
What is your response?I am so sorry to read about this tragedy, poor souls taken in this terrible accident. I hope that you rest in peace with your children for eternity. God Bless you and your family... Tony Eves, Hertfordshire.
What is your response?We are deeply disturbed and saddened to hear of such tragic news. Our thoughts and prayers are with this family at this awful time. From the bottom of our hearts we hope Daddy and Baby make a full recovery and Mummy, Brother and Sister’s forever rest in peace. xXx
What is your response?HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO ALL THE FAMILY. MAY YOU ALL GAIN STRENGTH. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WITH YOU ALL.
What is your response?My thoughts are with the father and youngest child after such a tragic accident on the A40 where he lost 4 members of his family I cannot begin to imagine such a loss as I’m a mother of 4 children myself it breaks my heart to read such very sad news my heart goes out to you both and the rest of your family may you find comfort they are altogether rest peacefully x
What is your response?I don't know you but from one mother to another, I'm totally heartbroken to read this. I hope you and your three babies find eternal peace. Rest easy knowing that these children passed knowing they were loved and cared for. All my prayers and thoughts are with your partner and youngest child, he has hundreds of thousands of people thinking about him right now. Rest peacefully beautiful angel x
What is your response?OUR HEARTS& PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL WHO KNOW & LOVE YOU. WORDS ARE SO DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THE FACE OF SUCH A TRAGEDY BUT KNOW THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE THINKING OF YOU & PRAYING FOR DAD & HIS LITTLE DAUGHTER. MAY YOU FIND STRENGTH IN THE MONTHS AHEAD .
What is your response?Absolutely devastating news. Thoughts go to the family and friends of this family. I hope and pray with everything that I have that the father and 18 month pull through. Thoughts are also going to my colleagues in the emergency services that attended. Love to all involved xxxxxxx
What is your response?This is absolutely heartbreaking. I don't know this family, but I have children of the same age. Sending my thoughts to all involved. I hope and pray for the dad and baby to make a full recovery. Sleep tight mummy with your children forever in your arms. xxxx
What is your response?So very, very sad to see this on our local news, and now to read it online. Thoughts and prayers go out to the husband and little one who survived, to the other family members and friends of this family, and to all the medical personnel who will have come into contact with this accident. As was said before, I hope they have the strength to cope after the sights they will have seen and will never forget. XXXX
What is your response?May you rest in peace. Sad day.
What is your response?Reading this with a heavy heart, thinking of everyone affected by this terrible incident. Sending wishes for a recovery of the father and baby in intensive care. Thinking of all the emergency workers who attended the scene and for the hospital workers treating the injured.
What is your response?Such a dreadful thing to happen. Hope you did not suffer
What is your response?My thoughts and prayers are with you, father and child.
What is your response?My words may have little meaning right now, but my heart goes out to the father and child in hospital and all their family members and friends. I am so sorry for your loss.
What is your response?I did not know you, but I am so sad to hear that a mum and 3 children have died. R.I.P
What is your response?Such tragic news to hear today, a very sad day that has touched the hearts of many. My thoughts are with all family, friends and any emergency workers who have been effected by this heartbreaking accident. Rest in Peace beautiful Angels ??
What is your response?We are so very sorry to hear of the loss of a young mother and her three children - our hearts go out to all the families - we will be thinking of the father and daughter and wishing them to pull through this horrendous accident and for their future - once again we are so very sorry - it’s just heartbreaking -
What is your response?Rest In Peace. May God rest all your souls. I prayer for protection and blessings to the husband and child. Amen!
What is your response?Unbelievable. The most saddest of news. I wish great strength to remaining family and friends. Life will never be the same again for them.
What is your response?Our thoughts are with the family at this tragic time Deepest sympathy. A +C
What is your response?Awful beyond words. I pray for all the victims and survivors and for our amazing emergency services, who had to attend. God bless you and strengthen you. Amen.
What is your response?I don’t know who your family are, i didn’t know you. From one mother to another all I can wish for you now is peace- that you and your 3 eldest children have found serene peace. Your story is incredibly tragic- there are now hundreds and thousands of people holding your partner and youngest child in their prayers and thoughts. Many tears from many strangers have been shed now upon this awful news.
What is your response?RIP my heart bleeds for the husband and child and the family that’s now have to grieve for those lost there life so sad ???? I don’t know the family but I’m a mum of three and can only imagien what the family are facing
What is your response?I'm so very sad to learn about this tragedy. It's more trauma than most would experience in their lifetime. I pray the Father and his young Daughter pull through the best they can.
What is your response?So sorry to hear about the loss of a mother and her children. My thoughts and prayers are with the father and baby, so very sad, from Florida. Xxxx
What is your response?I didn’t know you, but my heart is full of horror and sadness at what your family is going through. My tears are for you as a mother and for your darling children. I wish I could comfort your family. I hope you know how much this community cares.
What is your response?So sorry to see such sad news my thoughts are with the family. Rip.
What is your response?My heart goes out to all the family and friends who will be affected by this tragic accident. God bless all of those involved.
What is your response?I will pray tonight for the little one and father that are still in hospital, no words can describe this nightmare. I hope and pray God gives the family help in the coming months to get through this.
What is your response?I don't know this family but I am so sad to hear this news. My thoughts are with the family and the husband who has lost his wife and beautiful children. Sending love and get well wishes to him and his 18 month old who are in hospital.
What is your response?Sleep tight and shine bright all 4 angels. May you rest in peace.
What is your response?I really have no idea what people mean by "Rest in Peace", but I am very sorry for the terrible loss of life and multiple bereavements, particular of three young siblings
What is your response?I am deeply, deeply saddened by this news. It is so so sad. There are really no words. X
What is your response?My thoughts are with the family at this tragic time, I don’t know what to say as tears are running down my face. Please pray for the little one and the dad to pull through this.
What is your response?This is incredibly upsetting and tragic. Although I am stranger, as a family man I can't help but send my deepest condolences to the loved ones who have suffered this sad loss. My thoughts are with you.
What is your response?Sometimes we just don't know 'Why'? I don't know this family but deeply saddened by this tragedy. I Pray that the deceased will Rest in Peace. I Pray that the injured Father and Child may know peace and God's healing hand. For the wider family and friends I Pray that you may be comforted through your loss. Love from a Mum and Grandma in Bristol x
What is your response?Totally heartbreaking. My thoughts & prayers are with the relatives of this poor family. May the mother & her children Rest In Peace & pray that the father & little one in hospital make a good recovery
What is your response?I'm lost for words. This is terrible. May you all rest in peace, I'm so sorry xxxx
What is your response?Devastating news, and my thoughts are with the survivors God bless you
What is your response?Absolutely devastating news, heartfelt condolences to the family.
What is your response?Deepest sympathies to all concerned from Northampton xxxxxxxxxxxxx
What is your response?Everything that’s going now - Covid, Brexit, etc. pales into insignificance on hearing tragic news like this. My prayers are with those who died and everyone else involved.
What is your response?Just heard on radio about this tragic accident. I'm from Wales. It's just so sad to hear my heart goes out to thier family members for such a heart breaking news. I pray for the husband and the 18 month old to recover but it will be heart breaking for the husband. Breaks my heart for him. ? xxx
What is your response?Such tragic news. My thoughts go out to the family at this incredibly sad time. May you and your little angels rest in peace. xx
What is your response?I am so very sad to hear of this tragic accident R iP I send my love and prayers to you all GOD BLESS
What is your response?I am reading this from Dublin and it is utterly heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured dad and his baby and extended family. An appalling tragedy.
What is your response?So sad rest in peace
What is your response?Utterly tragic May you all rest in peace Love and prayers for the father and child who are in hospital Love to you all xx
What is your response?This is so tragic and I am so so sorry my heartfelt thoughts go out to the two family members in hospital and I would like to praise all the emergency services who attended this horrific scene ..thank you.
What is your response?Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. ( St Matthew's gospel chapter 5 verse4)
What is your response?From our families to yours We’re so so sorry your going though this grief and lose of your family , we know no words can make this time better , but we send our love to you all ! X x
What is your response?So very sad and my thoughts are with the family and friends at this time.
What is your response?May you all Rest in Eternal Peace safe in the arms of Jesus. Thoughts are with other family members at this sad time. Xx
What is your response?My hart breaks for the tragic news. I can't tell u how sorry I am. This is not fair, I'm so sorry
Book of Condolence for mother and children who died in horror crash
We wish to offer the community a place to send their condolences after such tragic news. Whether you knew them or you just want to send your thoughts, this is a space for you to do so. Please know we will moderate content to ensure this remains a respectful space.
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