TORN APART BY FREAK ACCIDENT
Church urges prayers for injured girl, 5, after mum & sister killed
A CHURCH yesterday called for prayers for a little girl after her mum and sister were killed in a horrific road crash.
In a post on its Facebook page, Bushmills Presbyterian Church said their “love and deepest sympathy is extended” to the family of Clare Smyth.
Mrs Smyth and her three-year-old daughter Bethany died in a crash involving a quad bike and a tractor on the Whitepark Road near Ballycastle, Co Antrim, at around 4.50pm on Tuesday.
The family’s eldest daughter fiveyear-old Hannah was airlifted from the scene to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast, where her father Ryan remains at her bedside.
Rev John Stanbridge, of Ballycastle and Croaghmore Presbyterian Church, said the “tragic and freak accident has changed a family for ever”.
He added: “Ryan, Clare, Hannah and Bethany are much-loved members of our church.
“In making this statement, I have spoken to Ryan, who is at his daughter Hannah’s bedside in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast.
“He would like express his thanks for the prayers of everyone, especially those in Ballycastle, and asks that people continue to pray for Hannah.
“He has also asked me to express his deep appreciation and thanks to all the emergency services who attended the scene.
“To the doctors and nurses in the Causeway Hospital and the surgical team in the Royal, where Hannah is now.
“Clare was a much-loved and esteemed leader and officer of 357 Dunluce Presbyterian Girls Brigade for the past 15 years, and she will be sadly missed by all the girls and leaders.
“As a church family we are mourning Clare and Bethany’s passing, but our resolve in Christ Jesus is to keep Ryan, Hannah and the wider family circle in our prayers and assure them of our love and support in the difficult days and months ahead.
“I am sure that you will understand, that Ryan has asked that he and the family are given space at this time, so they can focus on his wee Hannah.”
Traditional Unionist Voice MLA Jim Allister said the fatal accident is “nigh
This has cast a deep pall of sorrow over the area JIM ALLISTER MLA YESTERDAY
beyond comprehension”. He added: “Yesterday’s fatal accident, in which Clare Smyth and her young daughter lost their lives, has cast a deep pall of sorrow over the entire area.
“My heart goes out to the Smyth and Dobbin families and urge that we keep them close in our thoughts and prayers. I know the Smyth family and was just recently assisting with a constituency issue.
“With having a granddaughter the same age as the precious child that was lost, I can only begin to imagine the inconsolable loss they are suffering. Ryan’s loss of his beloved wife and child in one incident, and the serious injury of his other daughter, is nigh beyond comprehension.
“My thoughts are also with the tractor driver and his family.
“This will be a very difficult time for them too.”
Sinn Fein councillor Cara Mcshane said the accident had sent a “ripple of sadness” through the community.
She told the Irish Mirror: “It is with great and profound sadness that the community has learned of the death of a mother and her little girl. People in the community cannot believe what they have heard and how this has come about.
“At a time when the town has been in such a stillness it is a tragedy two people have lost their lives.”
A police investigation is under way and officers have appealed to anyone who witnessed the collision or captured it on their dash cam to get in touch.