‘Devoted’ London mother-of-ten among three killed in horror France motorway crash

A London mother-of-ten has died and her Rabbi husband severely injured in a horror motorway crash in France that also claimed two other lives.

Miriam Posen, 50, and Shalom Pinchos Posen, both members of the Orthodox Jewish community in Stamford Hill, were confirmed as victims by surviving family.

The Posens were travelling in a people carrier on the A26 motorway, south of Lens, when they were involved in a collision with two other vehicles at around 6pm on Sunday.

One car is said to have smashed through the central reservation and hit another head on, according to an early accident report.

None of the other victims, who are thought to be French, have yet been identified.

On Monday, Izzy Posen, the couple’s eldest son, wrote on social media: “My mother sadly passed away yesterday in tragic circumstances.

“She was young and healthy and full of the spirit of life. I loved her so much.”

A family spokesman said: “Miriam was a devoted mother who was loved so much by her family and friends.

“She was a very special person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

“We are still coming to terms with what has happened. It was only on Sunday night.”

Two of the Posen’s daughters are known to have been injured and are receiving treatment along with Mr Posen..

A French emergency services spokesperson who attended the crash site said: “Three people are dead and dozens injured, including many children.

“A van with a British family of seven people on board was one of the three vehicles involved in the crash.

“A British woman died instantly, along with two others travelling in another vehicle.

“The other passengers – aged between six and 48 – were taken to hospital in Cambrai and Arras.”

Mrs Posen was an ultra-Orthodox Jew who only spoke in Yiddish and observed a strict dress code, said the family spokesperson.