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Updated at 6.10pm
FOUR MEMBERS OF the same family who died in a car crash in Wexford last night have been named.
The deceased are Lily Ryan-Alexander, her husband Doug and their two sons, Doug Jnr and Steven Alexander. Both Lily and Doug were 75-years-old.
The family, who are from Illinois in the US, had travelled to Ireland for a funeral.
The crash happened at around 6.30pm last night when a lorry crashed with a car on the N25 New Ross to Ballinaboola road at Begerin.
A Garda statement confirmed that three men and one woman were in the car, and that they were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver and passenger in the lorry were uninjured in the collision.
A section of the road was closed morning as tests were carried out at the scene.
‘In shock’
Local councillor John Fleming said this morning that the entire community wished to extend its sympathies to the friends and relatives of those who died.
Another councillor, Micheal Sheehan, said he understood the family had been attending a funeral ceremony at Cushinstown church.
The community was “in shock” at what had happened, he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
Road conditions at the time would have been unremarkable, Sheehan said – but the road would have been busy with commuters.
He said there were roadworks taking place in the area – but not in the immediate area surrounding the crash.
There had been a number of crashes along the road in recent years, he said. A report on local station South East Radio called the area an “accident black spot”.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact New Ross Garda station on 051 426030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
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What a terrible tragedy. Condolences to family and friends. RIP.
@Ciaran Maher: RTE news at 9 claimed the driver performed a U-turn and was hit side on the by the lorry. Unbelievable tragedy
@Ciaran Maher: RTE news at 9 claimed the driver performed a U-turn and was hit side on the by the lorry. Unbelievable tragedy
@Jon Mackey: Possibly a lapse of concentration. Considering they were over for a funeral and maybe not used to a rhd car. Tragic for all involved.
@Jon Mackey: It’s a common one. Easy to underestimate how quickly traffic can appear in the time it takes to pull in and turn.
@Conor Power: Especially on that stretch of road with sharp turns on hills. Awful accident. RIP.
@DaisyChainsaw: I could be wrong but Americans are used automatics and possibly hired a manual car which is easy stall if you’re not used to. God bless them either way.
@mccumhail: Perhaps, but I’d say with their age and where they are from, chances are 1 our of 4 knew how to operate a manual. We have both versions in the states.
@mccumhail: Conjecture is a terrible thing. This is not a thing to be speculating on. It’s a tragedy
@mccumhail: looked like a BMW, chances are it was an automatic but between possible tiredness and just a lapse in judgement, this terrible loss of life occurred, I can’t even imagine the devestation this is causing to all involved. That poor truck driver will never be the same.
@selfsustainable: Again, not the time to be speculating on what may have happened. 4 people are dead. Stop guessing
Very tragic and very sad !! May they all Rest in Peace. It’s a reminder for all of us to take care on our roads this Christmas and at all times. ☮️
A tragedy for those killed and their families and indeed for the driver of the articulated truck that killed them.
@Donal Hanley: wow.. you’d really want to change that comment.
@Ollie Lad:
What EXACTLY do you find objectionable in my comment?
@Ollie Lad: he’s saying it’s sad for the truck driver. He’s the person that has to live with this
@Donal Hanley:
You said the truck driver killed them, that’s quite insensitive even without any facts to back it up
@Nick Allen:
The facts are clear. The deceased were killed in a collision with an articulated lorry not a truck. These facts are not disputed. I was simply making the point that irrespective of blame the lorry driver has to live with that.
@Donal Hanley:
You said he killed them. Do you know for a fact he was at fault? Do you know for a fact the rental car was not driving on the wrong side of the road, how do you know the truck driver killed these people? It could have been the driver of the car that caused the crash, it could have been mechanical failure etc. the fact is we do not know yet you accuse the truck driver of killing the people
@Nick Allen:
I did not seek in any way to apportion blame but there is no doubt the truck killed them. On a human level the truck driver has to live with that.
Your logic is more than a little inadequate. This is my final comment on the matter.
@Donal Hanley: The comment was a bit blunt and without empathy.
@Donal Hanley:
At least you had the decency to change your insensitive comment from saying that the truck driver killed them. Try thinking before posting
@Nick Allen: Jesus Christ you people need hobbies.
@Ollie Lad: totally agree change wording of three comment
@Donal Hanley: oh finally your shutting up. It was a tragic accident. Leave the detective work to the experts. Rip poor family.
Tragic! Rip
In fairness to @Donal Hanley, his comment does not apportion blame to the driver of the truck, but to the truck/lorry, the vehicle crashing into the car, by whatever means, that resulted in death.
Of course the lorry driver and passenger and their families will be affected by this awful tragedy, in a different way.
RIP the deceased & may God comfort the grieving relatives.
Such a tragedy. My thoughts and condolences are with the families and also the emergency services, I have no doubt that what they experienced last night will haunt them forever.
Very sad. RIP
They came to Ireland to attend her sister’s funeral, utterly devastating x
A tragedy for those killed and their families and indeed for the driver of the articulated truck that killed them.
@Donal Hanley: are ye 2 kids finished arguing?? RIP, rough time for all involved.
Insensitive comment alright.
@Loretta stiletto: insensitive comment
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