Elvira ‘so excited to go to Ireland’
Heartbroken friend tells of cliff plunge mum’s dream trip
THE tragic tourist killed when 147kmh gales blew her caravan off a cliff had told pals she was “excited” to visit Ireland.
Mum-of-three Elvira Ferrari, 56, who travelled from Switzerland in August, died when Storm Ali battered the Co Galway coast.
Her devastated friend Rolf Weber said he was “deeply shocked” by her death on Wednesday.
The mountaineering guide added: “This is just so tragic. I saw her two days before she left for Ireland. She was off to learn English.”
We have known her for at least 25 years. My wife will be devastated
FRIEND ROLF WEBER
SWITZERLAND YESTERDAY
A FRIEND of the tragic Swiss tourist who died when her caravan was blown down a cliff has told of his “deep shock”.
Elvira Ferrari, 56, was killed when the mobile home was battered with gusts of up to 147kmh as Storm Ali struck Ireland on Wednesday morning.
The mum of three had travelled to Clifden in Co Galway to celebrate finishing her English language course.
Footage of the scene shows the caravan smashed into several pieces as the tide threatens to wash it out to sea.
Speaking from Switzerland, her friend Rolf Weber, a mountaineering guide, said: “This is just so tragic. I saw her two days before she left for Ireland in August.
“She was excited about her trip. She was off to learn English. She wanted to travel more.
“We got a message from her last Sunday saying she had left for a three-day trip to Clifden after finishing her English studies.”
Emergency services were called before 8am but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene after a brief search.
Ms Ferrari, who separated from her husband around 14 years ago, was a health worker who had completed studies into Alzheimer’s disease. She lived in a flat in Steinmaur near Zurich and travelled to Ireland on August 26 for a five-week trip.
Ms Ferrari was godmother to one of Mr Weber’s children.
He said: “My wife will be devastated. They were good friends. We have known her for at least 25 years.
“Our children went to school together. We all lived in the same building for six years in the suburbs of Zurich.”
Together with eight other hiking enthusiasts, the friends completed a seven-day 79km hiking trip in the Wanderungen Nationalpark just days before Ms Ferrari left for Ireland.
Mr Weber said: “She was very fit, she loved hiking. She did a lot of mountaineering.
“She didn’t travel out of Switzerland too much but did a lot of travel within.
“She booked to go to Ireland to improve her English.
“She said she wanted it so she could travel to more places.”
Ms Ferrari had three grown-up children – a daughter living in Austria and two sons with homes in Switzerland. A neighbour said: “If the news is correct, then this is so tragic. I knew she was on holiday in Ireland. I think she was studying and staying with a family.”
Storm Ali swept across the UK and Ireland, wreaking havoc on power supplies and roads.
A man in his 20s died after being hit by a falling tree as he worked in a Co Armagh park. A colleague in his 40s was injured during the incident at Slieve Gullion.
It is understood the pair were doing contract work for Northern Ireland Water.
Meanwhile, TG4 caused a stir after it aired footage involving a caravan before last night’s news featuring Ms Ferrari.
The computer-generated clip, dubbed an “ident” to inform viewers what channel they’re watching, showed a creature kicking a caravan over a cliff.
The station told thejournal.ie the item was broadcast once and immediately removed. A spokesman added: “TG4 sincerely apologise for the unfortunate scheduling of this ident and any undue stress caused.”