The first pictures have been released of a young mother and her friend who were killed when their car spun off a dual carriageway in Derbyshire during Storm Ellen.
Mother-of-three Tanya Jackson, 29, and Brett Rogers, a 37-year-old dad-of-two, were travelling in a Vauxhall Insignia that skidded off the road and smashed into a tree on Saturday afternoon.
The accident led to the A52, near Derby, being closed for six hours. Heartfelt tributes were today paid online to the couple, who both died at the scene.
Mother-of-three Tanya Jackson, 29, (pictured) and Brett Rogers, a 37-year-old dad-of-two, were travelling in a Vauxhall Insignia that skidded off the road and smashed into a tree on Saturday afternoon
A former school pal of Tanya’s said he believed the couple had been in a recent relationship together.
He said: ‘It’s such a tragedy. She had two girls and a boy – they are only young.
‘She was very quiet at school but she was always pretty popular.
‘She’s been taken so young. It’s so sad.’
A friend wrote on social media: ‘I never knew u properly but fly high with your mum such a sad loss xx.’
Another added: ‘Another school friend, another tragic loss, another life taken so young RIP Tanya Jackson fly high girl.’
A former school pal of Tanya’s said he believed the couple had been in a recent relationship together. Pictured: Mr Rogers
Brett, from Derby, was said to have left behind two children, a girl and a boy.
Dozens of friends wrote on his Facebook describing their shock at his death.
One said: ‘So sad to hear that you’ve been taken so soon, I will miss you massively.
‘Thank you for the things you did for me, rest easy brother, I’ll see you again soon.’
Another added: ‘So shocked to hear such tragic news. My heart goes out to his children and family at such a very sad time.’
Emergency services were called to the A52, around 100 yards from the M1 junction, at 4.55pm on Saturday, August 22.
The incident happened as the last of Storm Ellen’s heavy rain fell on the area.
Originally only the westbound carriageway was closed but police soon shut the entire A52.
The accident (pictured) led to the A52, near Derby, being closed for six hours. Heartfelt tributes were today paid online to the couple, who both died at the scene
Police have appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage.
A Derbyshire police spokesman said: ‘The families of both of the deceased are aware and our thoughts are with them at this time.
‘Officers from Derbyshire police’s collision investigation unit want to hear from anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed the incident, or the moments before it.
‘Of particular interest are any drivers who have dashcam footage that may have captured the car in the moments before the incident.’
And in Bolton a 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and serious injury by dangerous driving after a woman died and a man was left in a critical condition.
They were both hit by the same car in separate collisions on Sunday, police have said.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said a blue Land Rover TD4 was travelling along Chorley Street at about 4pm when it mounted the pavement and hit a 50-year-old woman, who died at the scene.
The vehicle failed to stop and continued onto St George’s Road and then Chorley New Road, where it collided with a 36-year-old man who was stood at a traffic island, police said.
The man was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
Detective constable Emma Kennedy said: ‘This is a dreadful incident where two members of public have been struck by the same vehicle a short distance apart.
‘Specialist officers are looking after the families of both victims at this devastating time.
‘Our thoughts remain with the family of the woman who has very sadly died, and with the family of the man who remains critically ill in hospital.
‘It is absolutely essential that anyone with information, who saw the car prior to or shortly after these collisions makes contact with police.
‘If you have CCTV or dash-cam footage that can assist us, please also get in touch as soon as possible.’
Police said the driver was arrested at the scene of the second collision and remains in custody for questioning.