RELATIVES of five members of a family killed in an horrific crash have demanded a public inquiry into the tragedy - claiming a deep rut at the side of the road which had not been identified for urgent repair was a factor.

The move comes months after the Crown Prosecution Service said no criminal charges would be brought in connection with the deaths of three generations of the family from Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

They died when their car collided head on with a lorry near Grimsby as they were heading to a dance competition in Skegness on April 2013.

The crash claimed the lives of David Cockburn, 48, a care home manager, his wife Angela, 49, who ran a beauty salon, and daughters Bethany, 18, and hairdresser Carley Ann, 21, both keen dancers. Bethany’s 23-month-old daughter, Lacie Stephenson, was also killed.

The couple’s son Dean Cockburn, 24, and Angela’s sister Ann Walker have called for a public inquiry by an independent judge and for the CPS decision to be overturned.

The family has said it want answers to the question why a rut at the side of the road – owned by North East Lincolnshire Council - had not been identified for urgent repair. The rut had been a factor in an incident three months earlier.

In a statement supporting a petition calling for Justice for the Cockburn family, Ms Walker said: “It was the 22m long dangerously deep rut in the verge immediately at the side of the road that my sister’s car went into, sending her into the opposite carriageway in her efforts to steer out of it.”

The rut was filled in days later.

Just before the crash, Carley was overjoyed to announce she had gained dance work with a company that would see her travel around the world.

Bethany’s partner, and Lacie’s dad, soldier Garry Stephenson, was serving in Afghanistan when the crash happened.

A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesman said: “We have every sympathy with the relatives and friends of the five family members who tragically lost their lives on the A18 in April 2013.

“The inquest into their deaths is due to resume in November and as a result we are unable to comment further at this time.

“We will review any findings delivered in the coroner’s verdict once the inquest is over.”

A pre-inquest hearing will be held on November 30.

To sign the petition, log on to: www.change.org/p/the-uk-government-justice-for-the-cockburn-family