Pregnant mum died after pulling onto motorway hard shoulder to answer call

A pregnant mum tragically died after a car crashed into her vehicle which was pulled onto the hard shoulder of a motorway.

Frankie Jules-Hough, 38, from Chadderton in Oldham, suffered fatal injuries in the crash which happened on the M66 when she pulled over to answer a phone call, a pre-inquest hearing was told today.

Frankie was in the car along with her sons Tommy, nine, and Rocky, two, and another boy named Tobias Spencer, four, who is believed to be her nephew.

All of the passengers were hurt in the crash and Tommy and Tobias are in induced comas in intensive care in hospital, according to a GoFundMe appeal started by Frankie’s family.

According to the GoFundMe appeal for the family of Frankie, which was set up by a friend, she was 18-weeks pregnant and expecting a daughter.

“This is absolutely devastating for the family and their whole world has been truly turned upside down,” the appeal said.

Police coroners’ officer Tracy Bunn confirmed at the pre-inquest hearing today at Rochdale Coroners’ Court that Frankie worked as a ‘reiki practitioner’ and she died at Royal Preston Hospital on 15 May.

The mum-of-two was identified at the hospital by her father, Frank Hough.

The pre-inquest hearing heard that Frankie’s car was struck by a BMW allegedly being driven by Adil Iqbal, 22, from Accrington, Lancashire.

Iqbal was arrested at the scene and initially charged with three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday (22 May).

Iqbal, who works at a boxing gym, has now been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following Frankie’s death. He has also been charged of causing serious injury by dangerous driving relating to the two boys.

District Judge James Hatton refused an application for bail and Iqbal was remanded into custody. He will appear at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester on 19 June.

Paying tribute to Frankie, her brother-in-law Arron Welby told 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."