Family pay tribute to pregnant mum with ‘heart of gold’ who died in M66 crash

A family member has paid tribute to a pregnant mother with a ‘heart of gold’ who tragically died in a crash on the M66.

Frankie Julia Hough, from Chadderton in Oldham, was driving southbound on the motorway, near Bury, at the time of the crash at around 3.10pm on Saturday, May 13th. 

She was in the car with her two young sons, nine-year-old Tommy, two-year-old Rocky, and her four-year-old nephew Tobias. The pregnant mum, 38, tragically died as a result of her injuries in hospital yesterday.

Her son, Tommy and nephew, Tobias are still in hospital in induced comas. Rocky suffered minor injuries and is being cared for at home by loved ones.

A family member has described Frankie as being a ‘shining light’ and ‘fierce mother’ with ‘a heart of gold’.

She leaves behind her two boys and her partner Calvin, as well as her parents Julia and Frank, sister Becci Welby, brother-in-law Arron Welby, and many more loved ones. 

Frankie had found out she was expecting a baby girl and had only just celebrated with a baby shower the week before she died.

Paying tribute to her on behalf of her family, her brother-in-law, Arron told the Manchester Evening News: “She was the most amazing person, she had a heart of gold. She was a dedicated, fierce mother and she was a fighter for her kids.

“She was the best auntie. She was a shining light, she would protect her kids with everything she had.”

He added: “She was pregnant and was only just celebrating the week before with a baby shower when she found out she was having a little girl. It’s just so sad.”

Arron said Frankie would now be ‘shining down’ on her son and nephew as they continue to fight in hospital and his son Tobias — Frankie’s nephew — has been a ‘little warrior’.

He continued: “We don’t know what the outcome is going to be when he wakes up, we know he has had a head trauma. We’re hoping there will be no detriment to his long-term health, he is being a strong boy.

Tommy is believed to be also ‘making good progress’ but is still in an induced coma. His dad is by his bedside.

Arron added: “We’re just going day-by-day and bit-by-bit and want our boys back. It’s good if people pray and it gets us through, we want that power and positivity.

“We know she’s [Frankie] shining down on them now and bringing them through and showing us that she’s there and helping. She was just so strong-minded, if anyone was to go she would have picked herself.

“We’ll carry her legacy on. We now need to bring our boys through.”

Frankie’s family thanked the first responders on the scene who were ‘amazing and professional’. They also thanked the teams at Manchester Royal Infirmary who are caring for the boys and at Royal Preston Hospital who cared for Frankie.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family, with more than £40,000 raised so far. To donate, click here.

Adil Iqbal, 22, of Hope Street, Accrington, has been charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He appeared in court yesterday (May 15th) wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.