Mother and three children die in A34 crash in Berkshir

mother and three children have been killed in an eight-
vehicle crash.
Police said the group, from Bedfordshire, were all in the
same car.
They have been named locally as Tracy Houghton, 45, from
Dunstable, and her two sons, Ethan, 13, and Joshua, 11,
along with an 11-year-old girl.
Thames Valley Police declined to comment on reports Ms
Houghton's partner was driving behind in a separate car at
the time of the crash on the A34 in Berkshire.
A 30-year-old man from Andover, who was driving one of
the lorries involved in the crash, has been arrested on
suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has
been bailed until 5 October.
A man flown by air ambulance to the John Radcliffe
Hospital in Oxford is receiving treatment for serious
injuries.
A further 11 people sustained minor injuries, according to
Thames Valley Police.
Sam Difalco, a friend of the family, told the BBC: "She was
outgoing, devoted to her kids. She was a lovely lady. It is
devastating. It's terrible."
A spokeswoman for Central Bedfordshire Council, where Ms
Houghton worked, said: "This terrible news has come as a
great shock to everyone who knew Tracy, who worked
within our financial services team based in Dunstable.
"Tracy worked directly with our customers and was a
dedicated and highly professional member of staff."
Her team leader, Gary Muskett, said: "Tracy was a hugely
likeable and bubbly person who was much admired by her
colleagues, many of whom saw her also as a dear friend.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with her family."
The crash happened between Chieveley and East Ilsley at
about 17:10 BST on Wednesday, causing a six-mile tailback
on the northbound carriageway.
Thames Valley Police said the northbound carriageway
reopened at about 06:30, while the southbound carriageway
was closed for about five hours.
Speaking at the scene on Wednesday night, Insp Andy
Storey said: "It's big scene, a massively tragic scene, and
very difficult for officers to deal with.
"The four who died were in the same motorcar. The stretch
of the road the accident occurred on is an uphill section and
we are looking at the speed of the vehicles involved."