Horror crash in France kills British dad and his children after 'he fell asleep at wheel'
A BRITISH father, John Crompton, is thought to have fallen asleep at the wheel before a horrific car accident in which he died alongside two of his young children in France on Sunday.
John Crompton (L) along with Morgan and Evie-Lily (R)
Morgan Christian Lund, nine, and four-year-old Evie-Lily Crompton died in the crash which took place on the A39 motorway at Savigny-en-Revermont, in the east of the country, south of Dijon.
Mr Crompton's partner Makayla Lund, 25, and two-year-old Kyle Lucas Crompton were seriously injured and remain in hospital.
The mother describes herself on Facebook as a "full-time mummy" and Mr Crompton has been described as a "well-liked and very talented" man.
In a statement released through the Foreign Office, the family of Mr Crompton, Morgan and Evie-Lily said: "A devastating tragedy has left our family heartbroken forever.
"Our lives have been torn apart and will never be the same again. We have lost the heart of our family. As a family we ask for our privacy to be respected at this extremely difficult time."
John Crompton died along two of his children in the car crash
Evie-Lily Crompton (L) and nine-year-old Morgan Lund (C) died in the crash
Witnesses saw the driver lost control of the car shortly after 7am.
It left the road, smashed through barriers, crossed an embankment, and then fell on to a slip road.
Pictures later showed the burnt out wreckage of the vehicle, which was surrounded by debris, and almost unrecognisable as a family car.
A member of the emergency services said two of the children were dead when they arrived and the father was trapped.
Makayla Lund, 25, who survived a car crash in France
Makayla Lund was pulled from the wreckage with minor injuries
Local police said two children on board died instantly
He was said to have died from a heart attack minutes after he was released from the wreckage.
It is thought the three children were thrown from the car as it turned over, killing the two eldest instantly.
Local police said “two out of three children onboard” - aged four and 10 - “died instantly, alongside their father”, who was aged 31.
Witnesses saw the driver lost control of the car shortly after 7am
No other vehicles were involved in the crash
The childrens' mother and the youngest child were airlifted to the Edouard Herriot hospital in Lyon, where a spokesman said they were “in a critical condition”.
A judicial enquiry into the tragedy has been opened, and the early theory is that the driver fell asleep at the wheel.
No other vehicles were involved, and weather and road conditions were good, according to investigating sources.
Colin Harrison, a friend of Mr Crompton’s at Hartlepool Billiards and Snooker club, said: "Heart-breaking news about one of the league’s top players. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. Very talented and well-liked man. RIP mate."
A psychological unit was set up around the scene of the crash
Two emergency helicopters were scrambled to the scene of the crash, which saw the A39 shut in both directions.
A psychological unit was set up around the scene of the crash, to treat those who had witnessed the horror.
The family were thought to be on holiday as they headed south on the A39 motorway towards Bourg-en-Bresse.
The Foreign Office was understood to be offering assistance.