Emotional tributes paid to Hartlepool dad and his children who died in motorway crash

The driver, named locally as town man John Crompton, 31, his wife and their youngest child were flown to hospital following the crash which happened after 7am on Sunday on the A39 in Beaurepaire-en-Bresse between Lyon and Dijon.

The youngster was thought to be seriously injured.

Two air ambulances were called to the scene and the injured child was flown to hospital in Lyon.

In an interview with the France3 TV channel, a member of the emergency services said two of the children were dead when they arrived and the father was trapped.

He was said to have died from a heart attack minutes after he was released from the wreckage.

Pictures showed a badly mangled family Nissan which was ripped apart after initially hitting a safety barrier.

Readers have taken to the Mail's Facebook page to leave messages of support following the tragedy.

Candus Renee wrote: "A great person and amazing friend to me through secondary school my heart my goes out to the family and I'm praying hard for them both!!"

Julie Wyatt wrote: "Shocking news. Devastated to hear , thoughts are with both families . R.I.P xxx."

Layla Kipling wrote: "So sad, thoughts are with the families."

Tributes have also been left on the Hartlepool Billiards and Snooker Facebook page, of which Mr Crompton was a member.

Jeff Dickson wrote on the page: "Puts life into perspective when you see a lad like big John Crompton lose his life in a tragic accident like this.

"A man who held the same things in life close to his heart as I do.

"Family, Hartlepool United and a game of Snooker and billiards with his mates down the club on a Monday and Wednesday night.

"So so sad this, just hope his missus and bairn pull through for him.

"God bless big guy. Pot a few long 'uns up there."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are providing assistance following a road traffic accident in France, in which three British nationals have sadly died and two others have been hospitalised.

"We are working closely with local authorities and supporting the families at this difficult time.