The parents of a young mummy blogger killed in a car crash with three of her children have said their deaths have ‘left a huge hole in our life’.
The couple, who asked not to be named, said that their daughter Zoe Powell, 29, and grandchildren Phoebe, eight, Simeon, six, and Amelia, four, ‘were all so full of life and fun’.
The four were killed when the Subaru people carrier they were travelling in collided with a heavy goods vehicle on the A40 near Oxford on Monday October 12.
Mrs Powell’s husband, Josh, and their 18-month-old daughter Penelope, known as Penny, who were also passengers in the Subaru, survived the crash.
Josh Powell (back) with his family (left to right) daughters Amelia, four, Phoebe, eight, wife Zoe, 29, holding their daughter Penny, 18 months, and son Simeon, six
In a joint statement, the maternal grandparents said: ‘We will deeply miss seeing them grow and develop.
‘We are praying for the full recovery of Josh and little Penelope.
‘While we are deeply grieving for her life on earth cut short, we do have hope.’
In tribute to their daughter, the couple said of their daughter: ‘Zoe Rose Powell was a much-loved member of our family, daughter, sister and more.
‘She did so much in her short life, became a Christian and married Josh at 18.
Zoe Powell with her daughter Amelia Powell, four, who both died in the A40 crash near Oxford
Pictured: Zoe Powell, who died in the crash, with Phoebe, eight, Simeon, six, Amelia, four, and her husband Joshua
Emergency services rushed to the scene at 9.50pm last Monday to reports of the crash, which took place near a railway overbridge. Pictured: The child victims
Zoe Powell, 29, with her daughter Phoebe, eight, smile for the camera in a poignant picture
‘While earning a 2:1 at Sheffield University she also had Phoebe and Simeon.
‘After graduation, Zoe and Josh made a home in Chinnor, where Zoe then had Amelia and Penelope.’
They added: ‘The loss of Zoe, Phoebe, Simeon and Amelia has left a huge hole in our life.’
On Tuesday, Mr Powell released a tribute to his family in which he described how he will ‘reflect on the fun that we had as a family, with feelings of sadness that it was cut so short’.
He said: ‘I had been blessed with four wonderful children, whose thirst for life and hunger for adventure kept me busy but in the best possible way.’
Zoe Powell, who died in the crash, with Phoebe, eight, Simeon, six, Amelia, four, and Joshua.
The house that the Powell family were temporarily renting after a devastating fire at their £320,000 home in Chinnor (pictured) months before the crash
Simeon Powell, six, with his sisters Amelia Powell, four (centre) and Phoebe Powell, eight
Her husband Joshua, 30, and their 18-month-old daughter were rescued from the wreckage and are recovering at John Radcliffe Hospital in the city
He said there were ‘many battles to come’ but said he wanted to ‘thank everyone who has stood by me’ and Penny.
The HGV driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered minor injuries and has co-operated fully with the investigation, officers said.
The tragedy came months after the Powell family ‘lost everything’ when they were forced into temporary accommodation following a fire at their home in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on the A40 at 9.50pm to reports of the crash, which took place near to a railway overbridge to the west of Oxford
Officers remain at the scene and the A40 will remain closed in both directions for a ‘considerable’ period of time while the investigation continues
A teddy bear left among floral tributes for the family outside Chinnor Community Church, where they were regular members of the congregation
Pictured are the floral tributes outside the Community Church in High Street Chinnor today
The village where the Powells lived was in deep shock today as news of the tragedy emerged
Friends today said the Powell family has suffered ‘tragedy after tragedy’ after they were forced to move away from their home in Chinnor following a devastating house fire a few months ago. Pictured: Tributes in Chinnor today
Friends, neighbours and members of the churches where members of the family were regular visitors described the Powells as ‘delightful’ people.
A crowdfunding page set up by a railway worker colleague of Mr Powell’s has now raised £150,000.
Anyone with dashcam footage or information about the crash is asked to contact police.