Victims of Storm Babet M4 crash named by Wiltshire Police as 'devoted' mother and daughter
Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, of Caerphilly, South Wales, died in the collision on the M4 last Friday morning, after a pile-up during poor weather.
Tuesday 24 October 2023 17:31, UK
A mother and daughter who died in a five-vehicle crash on the M4 that is believed to have been weather-related have been named by police.
Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, of Caerphilly, South Wales, died in the collision on the M4 last Friday morning.
Emergency services were called to the eastbound carriageway between junction 17 for Chippenham and junction 18 for Bath at about 9.10am on Friday.
Four cars and an HGV were involved in the pile-up. National Highways reopened the road on Saturday morning, following investigation work.
Two other people were left with minor injuries from the five-vehicle collision which happened during Storm Babet.
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'Devoted' and 'unselfish'
In a tribute to Cheryl and Sarha released through Wiltshire Police, their family said: "Cheryl Woods, cherished by those in her life, fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend.
"Her selflessness was a defining trait, consistently prioritising her family's well-being over her own, and she took immense pride in her Welsh heritage while nurturing a deep love for nature.
"Sarha Smith, in the footsteps of her mother, unselfishly devoted herself to her family's needs ahead of her own.
"She was not only a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, but her absence leaves a void for those who relied on her radiant presence.
"Her legacy lives on through her six daughters, who will forever hold her memory close and strive to honour her with their efforts."
'Unprecedented' weather event
At least seven people are now thought to have died in Storm Babet, which has been described as an "unprecedented" weather event. The body of Peter Pelling was recovered by officers on Monday after his vehicle reportedly got trapped in floodwater near Marykirk in Aberdeenshire during the early hours of Friday.
Hundreds have been forced to flee their homes in Scotland and northeast England, with yellow warnings issued for rain in areas already hit by flooding, including the East Midlands and Yorkshire, until 4pm on Tuesday.
In the south and southeast of England, an overnight weather warning will be in place until 10am on Wednesday, with the Met Office warning flooding and disruption is "likely".
A total of 13 areas broke their daily rainfall records for October last week, including sites in Suffolk, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, Kincardineshire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Northumberland, Derbyshire and Humberside, the Met Office said.