A GRANDMOTHER killed when four cars and a lorry crashed on the M42 near Redditch has been named by police.

Ann Goddard, 70, from Dinas Powys, in Vale of Glamorgan, tragically died in the crash on Sunday night (July 9) after three of the vehicles burst into flames on the southbound carriageway between J1 and J2.

Firefighters from Bromsgrove and Redditch battled to extinguish the fire for around 20 minutes but Ann was found dead in a Volkswagen Golf shortly afterwards.

Her family described the mother-of-three and grandmother-of-seven as a 'true matriarch'.

In a touching tribute, Ann's family said: "[She was] a wonderful and much-loved mother of three, grandma of seven, wife, sister-in-law and cherished friend to so many.

"She lived for her family and was a true matriarch. She was travelling home from school speech day celebrations of one of her grandsons at the time of the collision.”

Her three children added: "We are left utterly devastated by the loss of our beautiful mum so suddenly and tragically.

"We lost our dad 10 years ago and whilst left bereft by his passing, mum got stuck back into life with huge celebrations this year for her 70th birthday including an afternoon tea party, a trip to the Maldives and a family holiday in Powys only last month.

"As well as loving her family she lived for ‘the girls’ - a group of women that were more like sisters she spent every Tuesday evening with since she was 16, being outdoors in the sun in her garden, the church, her swimming club, the WI and more."

Three other people were injured in the crash and taken to hospital, while another four patients were treated and discharged at the scene.

A 52-year-old man from Exmouth in Devon was arrested on Monday (July 10) on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, but has since been released under investigation.