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| Funeral for motorway crash family | Funeral for motorway crash family |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of a family of six who died in a motorway crash. | Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of a family of six who died in a motorway crash. |
| David and Michelle Statham, and children Reece, 13, Jay, nine, Mason, 20 months, and Ellouise, 10 weeks, died in a collision on the M6 in Cheshire. | David and Michelle Statham, and children Reece, 13, Jay, nine, Mason, 20 months, and Ellouise, 10 weeks, died in a collision on the M6 in Cheshire. |
| The crash happened two weeks ago as the family travelled home from Birmingham. | The crash happened two weeks ago as the family travelled home from Birmingham. |
| The funeral was held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Llandudno, Conwy, where two of the children were altar boys and the family worshipped. | The funeral was held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Llandudno, Conwy, where two of the children were altar boys and the family worshipped. |
| Tributes have been paid to the 'lovely' family of 6, killed on the M6 | Tributes have been paid to the 'lovely' family of 6, killed on the M6 |
| The Stathams were returning to Llandudno after visiting relatives in Birmingham when their car was involved in a collision between three lorries and another car and caught fire. | The Stathams were returning to Llandudno after visiting relatives in Birmingham when their car was involved in a collision between three lorries and another car and caught fire. |
| The four coffins were draped in the English and Welsh flags. | The four coffins were draped in the English and Welsh flags. |
| The two youngest children were lying in the same coffins as their parents to be cremated together. | The two youngest children were lying in the same coffins as their parents to be cremated together. |
| Jay's coffin was coloured like Doctor Who's Tardis while Reece's coffin was painted in the colours of his favourite football club, Aston Villa football. | Jay's coffin was coloured like Doctor Who's Tardis while Reece's coffin was painted in the colours of his favourite football club, Aston Villa football. |
| At the altar flowers spelled out the names Michelle and Dave. | At the altar flowers spelled out the names Michelle and Dave. |
| Some family members held a vigil in the church overnight after the coffins were taken there. | Some family members held a vigil in the church overnight after the coffins were taken there. |
| Around 200 people packed inside the church for the service, conducted in both English and Welsh, while another 150 stood outside and listened to the service on a loudspeaker. | Around 200 people packed inside the church for the service, conducted in both English and Welsh, while another 150 stood outside and listened to the service on a loudspeaker. |
| Mr Statham's mother, Angela, and Michelle's parents, Carole and Peter Hagans, were supported by friends and family from Birmingham. | Mr Statham's mother, Angela, and Michelle's parents, Carole and Peter Hagans, were supported by friends and family from Birmingham. |
| Friends of the couple from Llandudno and classmates of the children, representatives of the emergency services and the local community also attended. | Friends of the couple from Llandudno and classmates of the children, representatives of the emergency services and the local community also attended. |
| The Statham family were killed between junctions 16 and 17 of the M6 | |
| Mr Statham, 38, a chef at St David's College in Llandudno, had been with his 33-year-old wife for 19 years. | Mr Statham, 38, a chef at St David's College in Llandudno, had been with his 33-year-old wife for 19 years. |
| The family had moved to the town from Birmingham four years ago. | The family had moved to the town from Birmingham four years ago. |
| The requiem mass was conducted by Bishop of Wrexham, Edwin Regan, and Father Antony Jones, the parish priest. | The requiem mass was conducted by Bishop of Wrexham, Edwin Regan, and Father Antony Jones, the parish priest. |
| The bishop said Mr Hagans had told him both families had been touched by the love and sympathy shown by people from all over Britain in response to the tragedy. | |
| He said: "We are here to say goodbye to a family known and loved by so many. | |
| "We are here to express our grief, love and sympathy." | |
| Leading the prayers, Sister Jennifer McGlade said: "(David) was a man who would give his last penny and make anyone welcome in his home." | |
| Sister Jennifer said Mrs Statham was a loving wife and mother whose capacity for love was "vast" and whose protectiveness of her four children was "legendary". | |
| She said Reece - Reecie Babes as he was known to his family - had a "celebrated appetite, not just for food but for rugby, the Air Cadets, karate and altar serving". | |
| Sister Jennifer described Jay - Jay Bird - as quick-witted, articulate, talented and very amusing. | |
| "He brought joy to his family and friends. He was always singing about the stars in the sky. He was always happy and his smile said it all," she added. | |
| Sister Jennifer said of Mason: "Masey Moo was only 20 months old but already showing signs of sporting talent. | |
| "He could drop kick a football as soon as he could walk and used the television remote control as a cricket bat. At his tender age he has won the game and took the cup." | |
| Of Ellouise, Sister Jennifer said: "Twinkle Toes, the baby of the family. The fourth of the four children Michelle and David always wanted." | |
| • Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, a 46-year-old Portuguese lorry driver appeared before Chester Crown Court, charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving. | • Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, a 46-year-old Portuguese lorry driver appeared before Chester Crown Court, charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving. |
| He was remanded in custody until 13 January. | He was remanded in custody until 13 January. |