THE family of a woman killed in a crash which claimed the lives of five people has paid tribute to a “vibrant” sister.

Joan Roden-Jones, 64, of Gwersyllt, near Wrexham, died in Arrowe Park Hospital shortly after the horrific Wirral accident which claimed the lives of six-year-old Olivia Wood and her grandmother Linda Wood, 59, of Eastham.

Also killed were Olivia's great aunt and long standing friend of Mrs Roden Jones, Ann Hargreaves, 71, of Bromborough, and the retired Reverend Dr Graham Mercer, 73.

Mrs Roden-Jones's sister, Bebington's Mandy Burrows, 47, said: “Joan was a friend of Ann for many years, they were very close.

“My sister had stayed in Wirral on the Saturday night and little Olivia was going to go with them for a day in New Brighton.

“The police contacted my brother first and then my daughter, Martha, opened the door to him and a police officer on the Sunday evening.

“They were very kind and I can't fault the police or any of the emergency services – she was a dear sister and her loss is devastating.

“Joan worked with the disabled all her life, first at the Powys school and later as a carer.

“She was a learning mentor for students with learning difficulties at Yale College in Wrexham.

“She was a vibrant woman, she loved dancing and had signed up for an IT course, she was also involved in church friendship groups.”