A married couple killed in a horrific car crash which left seven more people seriously injured have been named by police.
Peter Seeley, 75, and his 85-year-old wife Margaret are said to have died instantly when a white Suzuki and a grey Range Rover crashed in Barnsley.
The collision at a crossroad which then involved multiple vehicles has prompted calls for tougher speed restrictions along the route in South Yorkshire.
Police have questioned a man arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving, in connection with the incident which happened around 2pm on Saturday last week.
Neighbours have described the junction as an ‘accident waiting to happen’.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police today identified the couple who had died, while saying: ‘Peter and Margaret’s family continue to ask that their privacy be respected while they grieve the loss of their loved ones.
‘Officers are still keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam of the vehicles involved or any information that can assist with their inquiry.’
The crash happened at the Barugh Green crossroad junction in Barnsley.
Pictures from the scene showed at least five cars damaged, with one covered in a green tarpaulin.
South Yorkshire Police warned the cross junction of Cawthorne Road, Barugh Green Road and High Common Road would be closed for a ‘long time’ following the tragedy.
The seven people hurt were not thought to have life-threatening injuries.
Janet Proud, who lives nearby, told the BBC safety improvements were needed at the junction – and warned there could be more tragedies ahead.
Ms Proud, 62, said: ‘It’s always very busy – the roads aren’t good enough to take the volume of traffic it gets at peak times.
“We’ve been complaining about it for years and it just gets worse and worse.
‘It needs to be reviewed, but why does a fatality have to happen before anything changes?’
Another local called the junction ‘an accident waiting to happen’, while a woman living nearby said she was ‘absolutely petrified’ to let her sons play on the road.
She added: ‘Personally, I think the lights change too quickly and there’s not enough time between one turning red and the opposite going green.’
A Barnsley Council spokesperson said ‘Our thoughts are with the family, friends and loved ones of those affected by the tragic incident last Saturday, 23 March.
‘South Yorkshire Police are carrying out a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the recent collision and their findings will be passed to HM Coroner’s Office.
‘We’re unable to comment on the recent collision until South Yorkshire Police have concluded their investigations and HM Coroner has held an inquest.
‘Once the police have concluded their investigation and the coroner has issued their findings then any recommendations will be investigated jointly by the Road Policing Group of South Yorkshire Police and our highways team.’
South Yorkshire Police urged anyone with information to contact them online, via live chat, or by calling 101 quoting incident number 490 of 23 March 2024.
