4 days ago
‘I don't want you to be consumed by guilt' – Dad of crash victim (8) comforts lorry driver
Ms Moore (46) and Abbigael (8) of Cois Coille, Kilkelly Road, Swinford, Co Mayo, died instantly when their car collided with an oncoming lorry
Saturday 6th of July Swinford Co Mayo The funeral cortege of Aisling Moore and her daughter Abbigael Tournié Moore are carried through Swinford after the funeral mass which took place at at Our Lady Help of Christians , Swinford. The Mother and Daughter were tragically killed on the N26 road close to Swinford on Tuesday 2nd July. Photo Conor McKeown
The father of a little girl who died alongside her mother in a collision between their car and a lorry, wrote a letter offering his 'heartfelt support' to the lorry driver.
There were emotional scenes at the inquest of Aisling Moore and her daughter Abbigael Tournie Moore, who lost their lives in the accident on the N26 in Mayo on July 2 last year.
Ms Moore (46) and Abbigael (8) of Cois Coille, Kilkelly Road, Swinford, Co Mayo, died instantly when their car collided with an oncoming lorry despite efforts by both drivers to avoid impact, the inquest heard.
Coroner for Mayo, Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald, returned a verdict of accidental death for both Ms Moore and Abbigael who died after Ms Moore accidentally crossed into the path of the lorry at Callow, on the N26 between Foxford and Swinford.
The inquest heard evidence from a witness who was travelling behind Ms Moore, who saw her car miss a left-hand bend and veer into the path of the lorry on the opposite side.
Martin Crean, a HGV driver with West Coast Express in Enniscrone, Co Sligo, struggled to contain his composure throughout the inquest and as he described the moments before the collision.
The court heard Mr Crean's Scania articulated lorry and Ms Moore's Toyota Avensis car were both in perfect working order before the collision.
The inquest heard that as Mr Crean neared the bend, Ms Moore crossed in front of him and hit a grass verge and she manoeuvred back across the road.
At the same time, Mr Crean braked hard, but as he was pulling a 45-foot trailer it caused the lorry to jackknife out of control.
Both Ms Moore and her daughter, who were the only occupants of the car, suffered extensive injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Saturday 6th of July Swinford Co Mayo The funeral cortege of Aisling Moore and her daughter Abbigael Tournié Moore are carried through Swinford after the funeral mass which took place at at Our Lady Help of Christians , Swinford. The Mother and Daughter were tragically killed on the N26 road close to Swinford on Tuesday 2nd July. Photo Conor McKeown
Mr Crean wept and was comforted by his wife as Dr Fitzgerald read a letter written by Abbigael's father, Arnaud Tournie, to the inquest at Ballina courthouse, at his request.
Mr Tournie wrote the letter 'with the full weight of a father's sorrow', but also 'with a sincere desire' to offer Mr Crean 'some comfort'.
'My daughter and her mother, Abbigael and Aisling, lost their lives in the tragic accident, and since then my life – and our lives – have been turned upside down,' Mr Tournie wrote.
'No words can express the depth of my grief. Yet, despite this immense pain, I want you to know that I do not hold you responsible for this tragedy.
'I understand how deeply such an event can mark the life of someone who, through no fault of their own, becomes part of it. That is why I want to extend my heartfelt support to you. I know you must carry this image with you every day, and that it cannot be easy – for you or your loved ones.
'I do not want you to be consumed by guilt, because this accident was neither the result of negligence nor of any wrongdoing on your part.
'You did what you could, and no one is ever truly prepared for such a moment. It is a tragedy – unfathomable and unfair – for all of us.
'Please receive these words as a gesture of compassion, of humanity, and, I hope, a small measure of solace. I wish you, with time, the inner peace needed to move forward and to honour, in your own way, the memory of these two beautiful souls taken too soon.'
The inquest heard the mother and daughter had spent a few days at the Ocean Sands Hotel in Enniscrone and were returning home to Swinford to prepare for Abbigael to spend time with her father in France.
The accommodation manager at the hotel, Johnny Burke, recalled saying goodbye as they left the hotel that day.
Mr Burke said he later heard a woman and child had been killed close to Swinford and got a bad feeling.
He said he rang Swinford garda station, but they would not confirm their identities, 'but I knew', he said.
'I didn't sleep a wink that night,' he added.
Garda John Naughton, who examined the scene, explained that conditions were dry at the time and speed was not a factor.
He said an examination of Mr Crean's tachograph found no breaches. It also showed that in the seconds up to and including impact, he had slowed from 80km to 43km per hour.
Gda Naughton said braking hard caused the lorry to jackknife and there was no way Mr Crean could recover control.
Sergeant John Melia, who led the investigation, said Mr Crean was tested for alcohol and drugs following the accident and found to be negative for both.
Dr Tamas Nemeth, pathologist in Mayo University Hospital, said both deaths were due to injuries sustained during the accident.
Sympathising with the family, Dr Fitzgerald recorded verdicts of accidental death.
She also expressed sympathy with Mr Crean and hoped he takes comfort in Mr Tournie's letter.
Dr Fitzgerald also commended the vast work done by gardaí and led by Sgt Melia.
Court presenter Sergeant Seán McHale also expressed sympathy to Mr Tournie and the Moore family along with Mr Crean and all the witnesses who gave evidence. He said it was evident the tragedy had been traumatic for everybody.
He also commended his colleagues in the gardaí and the emergency services.
