Widower tells of his 'abundance of loss' in tribute to 'mummy blogger' wife and their three young children who were killed in A40 horror crash

  • Josh Powell, 30, said he was grieving the loss of his family in a statement 
  • Wife Zoe, 29, was killed alongside three of her children in a crash last Monday 
  • Husband Joshua and their 18-month old daughter will both recover, police say  
  • Emergency services rushed to A40 near Oxford but four were pronounced dead
  • Friends of the family, from Chinnor, say 'Josh will try to stay strong' for daughter 

The husband of a young mummy blogger killed in a car crash with three of their children has spoken of the 'abundance of loss we feel as a family'.

Zoe Powell, 29, who was driving, daughters Phoebe and Amelia, eight and four, and six-year-old son Simeon were all killed last Monday night on their way back to Oxford from visiting relatives.

This afternoon her railway engineer husband Josh, 30, who was also in the car with their surviving one-year-old daughter Penny, released a tribute to her and his children.

He said: 'Before the adventure of starting a family nobody truly knows what to expect. 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.' 

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

The tribute came alongside a new photograph of the whole family together in happier times

Zoe Powell, who died in the crash, with Phoebe, eight, Simeon, six, Amelia, four, and Joshua.

Zoe Powell, who died in the crash, with Phoebe, eight, Simeon, six, Amelia, four, and Joshua.

Zoe Powell, 29, with her daughter Phoebe, eight, smile for the camera in a poignant picture

Zoe Powell, 29, with her daughter Phoebe, eight, smile for the camera in a poignant picture

Mr Powell then spoke of his talented illustrator and blogger wife and how they had worked together to bring up their children.

He added: '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 world views.

'Our children benefited from this in having adventures but also the quiet to talk. Zoe was a dreamer; with a head spinning of new things to do or tales to tell. 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.' 

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

The house that the Powell family were temporarily renting after a devastating fire at their £320,000 home in Chinnor months before the crash

Emergency services rushed to the scene at 9.50pm on Monday to reports of the crash, which took place near a railway overbridge. Pictured: The child victims

Emergency services rushed to the scene at 9.50pm on Monday to reports of the crash, which took place near a railway overbridge. Pictured: The child victims

My Family: Widower Josh Powell's tribute

'Before the adventure of starting a family nobody truly knows what to expect. 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 imagination.

'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 world views.

'Our children benefited from this in having adventures but also the quiet to talk. Zoe was a dreamer; with a head spinning of new things to do or tales to tell. 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.

'As a family that have always preferred understated calm and brevity, it has been a revelation the benefit of the deep wider relationships now I've lost my immediate nuclear family.

'There are many battles to come, and I thank everyone who has stood by me and Penny thus far.

'We are well supported and know to ask if anything is needed.

'Now we have the time to readjust and grieve, this is the challenge of the abundance of loss we feel as a family.

'Thank you to those who have respected our space and supported us thus far, and given us the time and space to do this.'

Advertisement

'We are well supported and know to ask if anything is needed.

'Now we have the time to readjust and grieve, this is the challenge of the abundance of loss we feel as a family.

'Thank you to those who have respected our space and supported us thus far, and given us the time and space to do this.'

The Powell family had moved to Chinnor in Oxfordshire in 2015 and had been renting a semi-detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac until a fire ravaged the property in June.

Although they escaped the blaze unscathed, the couple and their four children were forced to move and were re-homed in several temporary properties in West Wycombe in Buckinghamshire and the villages of Henton and Moreton in Oxfordshire.

At the end of August the family were moved back to Chinnor into an end terrace home, where they had been living happily until the crash. 

Neighbours had seen the family leave the home last Friday morning but did not see them return. 

They are thought to have spent the weekend at relatives in Gloucestershire. The children all went to St Andrew's CofE School in Chinnor which had an inset day on Friday. 

A neighbour, who lived across the street, said: 'I used to see Zoe walk the children to school every morning and pick them up again in the afternoon. 

'But on Friday I noticed the whole family getting into a people carrier. The children were not in school uniform so it looked as though they were heading off somewhere for a couple of days. 

'They never came home. When we saw them named in the media as being the victims of the A40 crash, my heart sank.

'They were a very close family and despite the setbacks they'd had recently with the fire at their last home, they seemed really happy and positive. 

'It's such awful news. Zoe and Josh and the kids were really well liked, they had a lot of friends around here despite only living here since the end of summer.' 

Zoe is said to have been a part-time bible studies teacher working from home. The family were members of the Chinnor Community Church and would attend every Sunday.

Due to the Covid-outbreak Josh and Zoe had more recently joined other parishioners in attending online church services broadcast via Zoom.

The couple are understood to have joined in last Sunday's sermon which they watched from a family member's home near Cheltenham.

Fellow parishioners Peter and Christine Brown laid flowers in tribute by a wooden cross outside the church this afternoon.

Peter said: 'They were such a nice family, you couldn't ask for better people.

'They were both really involved with the church and took their faith seriously.

'Zoe used to teach the bible to teenagers from her home part time.

'Their children were angels as well. I had a particular soft spot for the young lad, Simeon.

The Powell family home was still boarded up today with smoke and fire damage still visible

The Powell family home was still boarded up today with smoke and fire damage still visible

A teddy bear left among floral tributes for the family outside Chinnor Community Church, where they were regular members of the congregation

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

Pictured are the floral tributes outside the Community Church in High Street Chinnor today

'I always used to call him sunshine because he was always smiling and so like a little ray of sunshine.

'He'd always give me a ticking off, though, when I did call him that and say 'my name isn't sunshine, it's Simeon.'

'But the family were liked and respected across Chinnor not just the church. We'll miss Zoe, Phoebe, Amelia and Simeon so much and we'll of course be there for Josh and the baby when hopefully they recover.'

Over 1,500 people have already donated to a fundraising page set up following the harrowing family tragedy raising more than £50,000. 

The fundraising page, set up by Andrew Welsford, reads: 'This is such a sad and tragic loss for a work colleague on the railway, whose family have been taken from him in a tragic car crash near Oxford.'

Referencing railway workers' distinctive orange uniform, it added: 'Many people in the world of the Orange Army will know Josh and I hope will contribute to give him some financial support when he needs later in recovery.'

Grieving friends, neighbours and colleagues described the Powells as 'delightful'.

The tragedy came months after the family were forced into temporary accommodation when a fire broke out at their home in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire.

A statement from Chinnor Community Church, where the family were regular members of the congregation, said: 'They have been active, involved and much-loved members of Chinnor Community Church throughout their young lives.

'The news of the death of Zoe, Phoebe, Simeon and Amelia has shocked and saddened not just their church family here but also the whole community of Chinnor in which they were known and greatly loved.

'The family placed their belief in Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and we are confident that Zoe and the children are now safe in the arms of God.

'Our thoughts are with the family as we pray for healing and recovery for Josh and his daughter.' 

Police said they received multiple calls from members of the public at 9.50pm on Monday following the crash.

The HGV driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered minor injuries and has co-operated fully with the investigation, officers said.

There have been no arrests, and detectives have requested witnesses or those with dash-cam footage to contact them.  

Senior investigating officer Sergeant Dominic Mahon, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Bicester, said: 'We are able to update on the condition of the two other injured people, a 30-year-old man and an 18-month old girl.

'Although their conditions are still serious, they are showing signs of improvement and are expected to make a recovery.'

Sgt Mahon said the lorry driver had 'co-operated fully,' with police and had written a witness statement. 

It emerged yesterday the devoted family had faced anguish months earlier after their home burned down, destroying many of their possessions. 

Mr and Mrs Powell had rushed their four young children out of their home, wearing nothing but their pyjamas during lockdown after a blaze engulfed all the rooms in the house.  

Neighbour and fellow young mother, Alice Palmer, said today: 'It was only a few months ago that their house burned down, everything has gone, all of their memories were taken. It was an electrical fire, essentially they got out in their pyjamas and not much else, but they were planning to move back in.

'Josh is now potentially going to wake up with his young daughter to care for and no possessions or memories. I just cannot comprehend it, they were so religious, part of the community and the church. I have been crying all morning.' 

Neighbour Brenda Newell, who lived opposite the family's home, said: 'The fire was during lockdown this year, I was just off to work at the time. It looked like it ripped the whole house apart, but I went to work early that morning at a care home in Thame.

'I don't think it was arson, it was an accident I believe, you don't get any trouble like that down here. I used to say hello to the family in passing, they seemed like a lovely family, the kids were quiet. It's just one of those things, it's devastating.'

Talented illustrator Mrs Powell - a regular churchgoer - had managed to save some treasured belongings which they had put in their temporary accommodation.

Their home had been particularly important to them as their most recent child had been born there.   

Mrs Powell, who had been married for ten years, had told followers of the art and cards business she ran alongside her parent's blog : 'It's the littlest things that make a house feel somewhere familiar and 'yours'.

'I rescued this butterfly from our study (the door was closed and its largely unaffected by fire/ smoke- unlike the rest of the house).'

The couple had also regularly given to charity and their joint Skylark and Hare company had donated money to good causes every year. 

Almost a year ago Mrs Powell had said: 'There is so much brokenness in this world, so many who we know or know of who are struggling in one way or another but it's a reminder that this isn't our true home.

'And while we walk the darkest paths he is always there beside us and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, in our forever home. Psalm 23 is the first long chunk of scripture I memorised and it really has been so pertinent in so many ways and so many times in my life. If you're walking through something I hope it's a comfort for you .'