Pictured: mother killed along with three children in horrific crash on the A34

Victim: Tracey Houghton died along with her two sons and her partner's daughter

This is the mother killed alongside her children in a horror crash involving four lorries and four cars as they made their way off for a weekend break.

Tracey Houghton was going away with her partner Mark Goldsmith and their children when the crash happened.

Ms Houghton, 45, died with her two sons, aged 11 and 13 and the 11-year-old daughter of her partner Mark Goldsmith.

They were involved in the pile-up on the busy A34 commuter belt road near Oxford.

Mr Goldsmith was following in the car behind and saw the crash. One witness said the family’s car was crushed between two lorries.

The aftermath of the horrific crash on the A-road 
uknip/Alamy Live News

George Maguire 70, a distant relative of Mr Goldsmith, said: “The family are all just heartbroken. Mark saw everything.

"He was travelling in the car behind. They were all looking forward to a long weekend away.”

A 30-year-old driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving following the crash at 5:10pm yesterday.

Investigators worked through the night to gather evidence and remove the wreckage from the northbound carriageway of the A34, at East Ilsley, as tributes today poured in for the family, from Dunstable, Bedfordshire.

A schoolfriend of one of the children said: “Today one of the most horrible things happened. One of the most innocent and nicest boys I know got killed in a car crash on the A34 along with his brother, sister and their mum. All gone, took too soon.”

Another schoolfriend of the boys added: “R.I.P. I have known you since year 5 you were such a good friend and now you are truly missed by all rest in perfect paradise.”

The family of four were pronounced dead at the scene and a fifth man airlifted to hospital was in a serious condition.

Medics treated nine people at the scene for minor injuries and a man and teenage boy were taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital. They have since been discharged.

Witnesses today claimed bodies were seen lying on the tarmac in the aftermath of the smash. Alex Rawlings, of Gosport, said it was the “worst crash” he had ever seen. He said he saw two cars “sandwiched” between lorries with both vehicles crushed by the collision.

Chief Inspector Henry Parsons, from Thames Valley Police, said: “Can I ask anyone who witnessed the collision, including anyone travelling on the southbound carriageway who saw anything they believe is significant, to contact police.”

The rush-hour pile-up closed a six-mile section of the A34, from junction 13 of the M4 near Newbury, Berkshire.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “A 30-year-old man from Andover was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed until October 5.”

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