Tragedy struck on Father’s Day as a devastating incident unfolded, resulting in the death of a two-year-old girl and her father, Your Content has learned.
Ashley Henry, a 35-year-old company director, deliberately drove his vehicle into the path of a lorry, ending both their lives.
The heartbreaking event occurred following the breakdown of Henry’s relationship with the toddler’s mother.
Initially believed to be a tragic collision, the authorities have now launched a murder investigation into the toddler’s death.
Lincolnshire Police clarified that they are not seeking any other individuals in connection with this double tragedy and have ruled out the lorry driver as a suspect.
Dashcam footage captured the collision, shedding light on this horrific incident.
The mother of the deceased child, Rachael Leader, who works for PepsiCo in global procurement, sought solace with her family in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire.
Overwhelmed by grief, they declined to comment on the devastating turn of events. However, on social media, Miss Leader shared a police update regarding the murder inquiry, expressing her anguish with heartbroken and crying emojis.
In a heart-wrenching Instagram post featuring a smiling picture of her daughter, she conveyed her deep sorrow and pledged to turn her pain into purpose.
Friends and acquaintances expressed their shock and sympathy, unable to comprehend how such a heinous act could be inflicted upon an innocent child.
Prior to the police’s revelation of the murder investigation, Miss Leader informed her friends that the father and daughter had died in a car crash while returning from Skegness.
While their separation was confirmed, the exact timing remained unclear.
The tragedy unfolded when a lorry, laden with chilled chicken from a local processing plant, veered into a dyke in an attempt to avoid the oncoming car, which was driving in the lorry’s lane.
The car, a blue Nissan Quashqai, was occupied by driver Ashley Henry and his two-year-old daughter Oria.
Both lost their lives in the fatal collision along Main Road in Anwick.
The authorities have appealed for witnesses to come forward and are providing support to the grieving family during this challenging time, according to DailyMail.