Latest news with #tragedy
Daily Mail
2 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Mother 'full of kindness and warmth' and her two 'vibrant' children were killed 'in unspeakable way', priest tells mourners after 'husband killed all three and turned gun on himself'
A mother and her two children were killed 'in an unspeakable way' when the three of them were shot dead in their quiet home village, a priest has said. Vanessa Whyte and her children James Rutledge, 14, and Sara Rutledge, 13, died on Wednesday last week in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Police said a triple murder and attempted suicide was a line of inquiry after Ms Whyte's husband allegedly 'killed all three and turned the gun on himself'. Agricultural contractor Ian Rutledge, 43, who died on Monday, is understood to be the only suspect in the shooting of his family. At a service of removal in Maguiresbridge ahead of the funeral in Co Clare on Saturday, mourners gathered this morning at St Mary's Church to pay their respects. Several were dressed in bright colours following a request from the family and large crowds lined the streets outside the church in advance of the service. In his homily, Father Raymond Donnelly said: 'The loss of Vanessa and her two beautiful children, James and Sara - lives taken in such an unspeakable way - is more than any heart should bear. 'A woman full of kindness and warmth, a friend to so many here. The coffins of victims Vanessa Whyte and her children Sara and James Rutledge are carried from St Mary's Church in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, following a service of removal 'And her children, so young, so vibrant, so full of promise. 'Their laughter rang through school corridors, through playing fields, especially on the GAA pitch, where they thrived with passion and joy. 'That zest for life, their infectious energy, their open smiles. 'Words fail us. And when words fail, we turn to the word of God.' He added: 'There is a heaviness in the air, a silence within our hearts, that speaks volumes. 'The tragedy we have endured has shaken this community, and our country, to its core. 'We are left shocked, grieving, heartbroken, searching for meaning, grappling with questions too deep for words.' During the service, a reading was delivered by Elizabeth Armstrong, principal of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, where Sara and James were pupils. Three ambulances and an air ambulance were called to a property in Drummeer Road at around 8.20am, where Ms Whyte, a government veterinary surgeon, alongside one of the children, was tragically pronounced dead. The other child was airlifted by air ambulance to to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen where they sadly later died as a result of their injuries. A critically injured man from the same household was treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. But police confirmed Ian Rutledge died on Monday. Ms Whyte, originally from Co Clare, and her two children have been described as 'active and beloved' members of both St Mary's Maguiresbridge Gaelic Football Club and Lisbellaw St. Patrick's Hurling Club in the area. Meanwhile, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School said it was mourning 'the loss of two vibrant and much valued pupils'. The priest told the grieving family members 'you are not alone'. Speaking at the service of removal the priest told grieving family members they are 'not alone', adding 'we stand with you'. He said: 'We hold you in prayer and embrace. We do not have answers, but we offer presence. We offer prayer. We offer love. 'To the classmates of Sara and James and to all the friends, know that it is OK to feel confused, angry, sad and to cry. 'Please speak to someone. Speak to your parents, to your teachers, to your clergy.' Fr Donnelly told mourners that grief is 'not something to carry alone'. He said: 'It is a journey we make together. 'To all involved in sport - to coaches, teammates, mentors - thank you for the joy you helped nurture in these children. 'Their bright spirits will remain a part of every game played in their memory. 'And we take a moment to thank all first responders and medics. Thank you for your service under unimaginable circumstances. 'Thank you to all who have come forward with meals, hugs, tears, prayers, practical and pastoral support or a silent presence. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill (second left) leaves following the service of removal for the victims 'You remind us that light still flickers, even on the darkest of days.' Candles were lit in memory of the three victims. The bodies will be taken to Barefield in Co Clare, where Ms Whyte was originally from, ahead of their funeral Mass on Saturday. The three will then be buried together in Templemaley Cemetery.
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
Fraserborough man dies after car crash in Australian outback
A Scottish man has died after a car crash in the Australian outback, his family has Reynolds, 25, from Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire, was injured in a two-car collision near Lyndon, about 160km (100 miles) east of Coral Bay on Sunday. His family in Scotland said they were "absolutely broken" at his death. Western Australia Police Force said paramedics took him to Coral Bay Nursing Post where he later died. Police said a 25-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Toyota Hilux utility vehicle Mr Reynolds was driving suffered minor 50-year-old female driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash was taken to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment. Hundreds of people paid tribute and shared condolences after Mr Reynolds' death was announced on social media. A statement on Facebook described him as "dearly loved son" of Kerry and John, "much loved brother to Faith-Marie, Amy and William John, dearly loved partner and best friend of Katie" and a "good friend to all who knew him".His mother also shared the news, adding: "We are all absolutely broken."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
British tourist, 25, who fell from hotel balcony in Malta died from multiple injuries, coroner says
A British holidaymaker died from multiple injuries when he plunged from a hotel balcony in Malta, an inquest heard. Software engineer Kieran Hughes, 25, was on holiday with friends when he fell from the balcony in the ten-storey hotel. Tragedy struck at 4am local time at Cavalieri Art Hotel in St Julian's, on the east coast of the Mediterranean island, the hearing was told. His father described him as 'a special son and twin brother' - saying the family was 'living in a nightmare'. Opening the inquest, assistant coroner for North West Wales Sarah Riley said the case was likely 'to be an unnatural death'. Kieran travelled from the village of Nant Gwynant, near Caernarfon, Gwynedd, to the island for the holiday with friends on July 11. Mr Hughes worked as a software engineer at the M-Sparc Science Park in Gaerwen, Anglesey. He was a former pupil at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Caernarfon, and studied engineering at Bangor University. His family said they wanted him to be remembered as 'happy, loving and full of life'. Ms Riley said the cause of death provided by the Maltese authorities to her was 'multiple blunt force injuries due to a fall from height'. She added that it is 'more likely than not to be an unnatural death'. Ms Riley said this cause is sufficient for her to hold an inquest which she opened and adjourned pending completion of further investigations. Medics were called to the scene in the town's Triq Spinola area at around 4.15am. It is understood Mr Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene. A spokesman for the Foreign Office has previously confirmed they were in contact with local authorities regarding the death. Police inquiries are reported to be ongoing. Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd described Mr Thomas' death, at the time, as 'heartbreaking news'. 'My heart goes out to the young man's family at this extremely difficult time,' she added. Senedd member Sian Gwenllian said it was 'truly devastating'. 'The pain his family must be experiencing is unimaginable,' she said. 'My thoughts, and those of the people of Gwynedd, are with the family in their grief,' Ms Gwenllian added. Welsh MP Sian Gwenllian, who represents Arfon, previously described Mr Thomas' death as 'truly devastating'. She said: 'News of the death of a 25-year-old from Gwynedd in Malta is truly devastating. 'The pain his family must be experiencing is unimaginable. 'My thoughts, and those of the people of Gwynedd, are with them in their grief.' The tourist was rushed to the Costa del Sol Hospital in May in a 'critical condition' after the incident at the Hard Rock Hotel in Puerto Banus near Marbella. He was then transferred to the Regional University Hospital of Malaga after 5am on Sunday May 25, when the incident took place.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
German Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier dies after mountaineering accident in Pakistan
The German double biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died days after she was seriously injured by a rockfall on a mountain in northern Pakistan. The 31-year-old was stranded after an accident at around midday on Monday at an altitude of 5,700m on Laila Peak in the Karakoram range, according to a statement from Dahlmeier's team. She was 'hit by falling rocks,' and no one had been able to reach her due to the danger of further rockfalls and the site's 'remoteness'. Her climbing partner was able to sound the alarm after reaching safety. Due to the falling rocks a helicopter rescue was not possible. A ground rescue mission struggled to reach the her due to the risk of falling rocks and poor weather causing visibility issues. Her team informed Sky Germany of her death. Dahlmeier, an experienced mountaineer, had been in the region since the end of June and had already ascended the Great Trango Tower. She won seven world championship gold medals, and at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang she became the first female biathlete to win the sprint and the pursuit at the same Games. Dahlmeier retired from professional competition in 2019 at the age of 25. She went on to become a commentator on biathlon events for German broadcaster ZDF, and also took up mountaineering. She was a certified mountain and ski guide and an active member of the mountain rescue, according to her team. More to follow
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
18 Migrants Die in Shipwreck off Eastern Libya, 50 Missing
At least 18 migrants died in a shipwreck off the city of Tobruk in eastern Libya over the weekend, and 50 are still missing, the International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday, citing reports. Ten survivors have been accounted for so far, the IOM said. Tobruk is a coastal city near the border with Egypt. A diplomatic source from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi in eastern Libya told Reuters by phone that the migrants are from Egypt. The diplomat said 10 bodies were identified and transferred back home, while the survivors were being held in an anti-illegal migration facility. A Libyan Coast Guard official said the bodies of migrants were found in Alaghila Beach, some 25 kilometers east of Tobruk. Since the toppling of Moammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has become a transit country for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty across the desert and over the Mediterranean to Europe. "This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the deadly risks people are forced to take in search of safety and opportunity. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants and refugees, many of whom face exploitation, abuse, and life-threatening journeys," the IOM said. Meanwhile, rescue units, involving Navy, coast guard, civil protection and border units, rescued 11 Algerians and a Tunisia off the province of Bizerte, north Tunisia, attempting an illegal sea crossing to Italy from Algeria's El-Kala coast after their boat broke down at sea, a security source told TAP news agency. The source said bad weather prevented the Algerians, from the state of El Tarf, from advancing towards the Italian coast and therefore, were stranded in water for four days. All rescued migrants were transferred to a hospital in Bizerte where they received treatment.
