Mother and Two Kids Killed in Horrific A64 Motorhome Crash
A devastating crash on the A64 westbound between Malton and York claimed the lives of a mother and two of her children. Shirley Hunt, 44, along with her daughter Ellie, 9, and son Oscar, 5, died instantly after their motorhome smashed into a parked lorry following a tyre blowout.
Tyre Blowout Sends Family’s Holiday Journey into Tragedy
The family was returning home to Greasborough, Rotherham, after a holiday in Whitby in August 2021. Dad, Craig Hunt, was driving the converted 7.5-tonne DAF van. The boys sat up front while Shirley and Ellie rode in the rear living area.
According to Craig’s testimony at the North Yorkshire Coroner’s Court, the trip was smooth until a sudden “loud bang” – the tyre exploded. The steering failed immediately. Despite frantic emergency braking, Craig couldn’t avoid crashing into a stationary articulated flatbed lorry in a layby.
Five-Year-Old Oscar Took The Worst of the Impact
Tragically, Shirley, Ellie, and Oscar suffered fatal injuries. Craig and their youngest son Brooklyn survived. Craig and Brooklyn wore seatbelts, but the two boys did not have booster seats. The inquest revealed booster seats wouldn’t have saved Oscar, who bore the brunt of the collision.
Forensic investigator TC Paddy Green reported the tyre was from 2002, with a slow-growing hole invisible to the naked eye that caused the sudden failure. The tyre was otherwise deemed legal and fit for use.
Calls for Tougher Safety Laws in Motorhomes
Witnesses confirmed Craig was driving normally before disaster struck. TC Green stressed the life-saving power of seatbelts, noting both restrained passengers survived. However, it wasn’t clear if belts would have saved Shirley and Ellie.
Assistant Coroner Alison Norton plans to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report. She wants new laws to stop adults and children travelling unrestrained in the rear of motorhomes, highlighting the deadly risks involved.
This heartbreaking crash is a grim reminder of how vital road safety and proper restraints are – especially in unconventional vehicles like motorhomes.
