Tributes paid to woman killed in A34 crash
Tracy Houghton described as 'bubbly and likeable' by devastated colleagues
TRIBUTES have been paid to a mother who died alongside her two sons in a horror crash on the A34 yesterday.
Tracy Houghton, 45, died at the scene alongside her two boys Ethan and Josh, aged 13 and 11, and an 11-year-old girl.
This afternoon, Central Bedfordshire Council, released a statement saying: "Although the identity of the family involved in the tragic accident on the A34 yesterday evening have not been formally identified, we have seen various reports which identify our colleague Tracy Houghton as one of the victims.
"This terrible news has come as a great shock to everyone who knew Tracy, who worked within our Financial Services team based in Dunstable.
"Tracy worked directly with our customers and was a dedicated and highly professional member of staff."
Her team leader, Gary Muskett, said;“Tracy was a hugely likable and bubbly person who was much admired by her colleagues, many of whom saw her also as a dear friend.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with her family."
Unconfirmed reports say that the family were travelling back from a camping break in a two-car convoy when Mrs Houghton's Vauxhall Corsa collided with a lorry.
Mrs Houghton's partner reportedly witnessed the crash and suffered whiplash and a broken rib as he drove his own Vauxhall car with his 13-year-old son as a passenger.
Bedfordtoday are reporting that Tracy’s mum Jo Smith wrote on Facebook: “I’m so sad to say I am the mother & grandmother to all involved in this terrible accident.
“Half my family wiped out in one go.”
A 30-year-old man from Andover has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed until October 5.
One man was flown by air ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital. He is still in hospital being treated for serious injuries.
Two people - a man and a teenage boy - were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital by land ambulance with minor injuries and have since been discharged. Nine people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
The collision involved four heavy goods vehicles and four cars.
Officers were called to a report of a collision on the northbound carriageway shortly after 5.10pm between the East Ilsley and West Ilsley junctions.
The northbound carriageway of the A34, between Chieveley at junction 13 of the M4 and between the West Ilsley junction was closed until approximately 6.30am this morning.
The 30-year-old man from Andover was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed until 5 October.
Chief Inspector Henry Parsons, head of the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, said: "Our thoughts are with anyone affected by this tragedy. 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."
"Anyone who has any information which could assist the investigation should call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101 quoting URN 1109 10/8."
