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Car crash survivor pays tribute to wife and three children who died

<span>Photograph: Sarah Mak Photography/PA</span>
Photograph: Sarah Mak Photography/PA

A man who survived a car crash in which his wife and three of his children died has paid tribute to a wonderful family with a hunger for adventure.

Josh Powell’s 29-year-old wife, Zoe, their daughters Phoebe, eight, and Amelia, four, and six-year-old son Simeon all died in a collision between their people carrier and a lorry.

Powell, 30, and their 18-month-year-old daughter, Penny, survived the crash on the A40 near Oxford and continue to recover.

In a statement issued through Thames Valley police, Powell said the future was uncertain and there were many battles to come. But he said he had wonderful memories of his wife and three children.

“Before the adventure of starting a family nobody truly knows what to expect,” he said. “All of life’s preconceptions and what we see in the world around us meant that life as a family man was so much better than I expected it to be.

“I had been blessed with four wonderful children, whose thirst for life and hunger of adventure kept me busy but in the best possible way.

“As I look to an uncertain future, I reflect on the fun that we had as a family, with feelings of sadness that it was cut so short.

“Phoebe was my first daughter, and was the model of her mother but with a thirst to always know more. Regularly we would adventure and explore the world together. She was clever and able to make great jumps of imagination – her great creations in Lego are testament to this.

“Simeon was just like his father, with a mischievous sense of humour and desire to know more of the world. A keen sportsman, he had been due to play in first football match this week.

“He shared the kind heart of his sisters and wouldn’t be happier than when he knew that everyone was OK. Amelia was kind and spirited. Her tenderness and thoughtfulness much more advanced than her years.

“Her ability to dance and express herself was a true blessing, with an abundance of self-confidence. Tied down by no element of practicality she had the most vivid dreams and imagination.”

Ms Powell ran two companies and blogged about motherhood while Mr Powell is a railway contractor.

He continued: “Myself and Zoe were as different as we were alike. Despite the frequent tensions this would bring, it was of immense benefit having such differing worldviews.

“Our children benefited from this in having adventures but also the quiet to talk. Zoe was a dreamer. More than anything, we made a great partnership to raise a family.

“I want to thank everyone who has rushed to put their arms around to us to support me and Penny. There are many battles to come, and I thank everyone who has stood by me and Penny thus far.”

Police said they received multiple calls from members of the public at 9.50pm on Monday 12 October after the crash involving the family’s Subaru people carrier.

The HGV driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered minor injuries and has cooperated fully with their investigation, Thames Valley police have said.