Police appeal after motorway tragedy

Welshpool has been struggling to come to terms with the tragic death of two well-known women who sadly died in a road accident last Friday morning.

Barbara Jones, the long serving landlady of the town’s Wellington Pub, and her friend Christine Evans were back seat passengers of a Vauxhall car that was in collision with a Mercedes van.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene while their partners, Gareth Isaac and Graham Davies, were treated for minor injuries.

The accident happened on the M42 near Birmingham at about 3.20am and it is believed they were on an airport run for Barbara and Gareth to catch a holiday flight. The 37-year-old van driver, from Birmingham, was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs. He was released under investigation.

The officer in charge has appealed for dashcam footage from anyone who may have been travelling on the road at the time of the crash.

“Officers are keen to speak to anyone with dashcam footage of the incident,” said Warwickshire Police Inspector Gary Bridgewater. “Any information, no matter how small, may be significant in our investigation.”

Anyone with information or who witnessed the collision is asked to call Warwickshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 26 of January 5.

Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with touching tributes for the popular pair who leave a huge hole behind. Friends have also been posting up memorable pictures onto Facebook (pictured) with one describing them as "wonderful women".

Police said the families of the victims are being assisted by specialist officers and the coroner’s office for Warwickshire confirmed an inquest opening is expected to take place in Leamington on Friday.