Wildfires widow facing months of treatment for burns in Greek hospital
A NEWLYWED Irishwoman who lost her husband in the Greek wildfires will face months of treatment in Athens for her severe burns.
Preparations are under way to bring home the body of Zoe Holohan’s husband, Brian O’Callaghan-Westropp, who died last week.
It is understood the body will be flown home this week, probably around Thursday.
It was revealed yesterday that Ms Holohan came within minutes of death in the inferno, which swept through the area around Athens as the couple honeymooned in the resort of Mati.
Ms Holohan, who works for the ‘Sunday World’ as an advertising executive, is expected to stay in hospital in Athens for two months. She underwent her first medical procedure on Friday.
Meanwhile, more details are emerging of the couple’s ordeal in the wildfires.
The ‘Sunday World’ reported yesterday that they had fled their rented holiday home on foot as the fire moved in, but couldn’t start their car, so took off on foot.
A driver who spotted them motioned for them to get into the boot of his car, which was the only space available. The car was stuffed with six children and three adults.
A firefighter who came upon the car stuck in a jam of fleeing vehicles rescued Ms Holohan from the boot.
Her husband had been lost at some point in the journey and his body was formally identified on Wednesday.
Ms Holohan was given first aid treatment at the fire station by a nurse, before being rushed to hospital in Athens.
The firefighter who found her said everyone in the car would have died in minutes had they not been rescued then.
Memorial
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe memorial page which has been set up by college friends of Mr O’Callaghan-Westropp has exceeded its original €5,000 goal.
Mr O’Callaghan-Westropp had been studying for a Masters of business administration at the National College of Ireland.
He was remembered by friends as someone whose “enthusiasm, passion and zest for life was infectious”.
The proceeds of the fundraiser will go to Ms Holohan “to try to help her through this most difficult time,” the organiser said.
The wildfires claimed the lives of at least 88 people and injured dozens more.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in a church in Mati for a memorial service yesterday.
The senior local Greek Orthodox Church clergyman, Bishop Kyrillos, said the community was mourning the loss of family, neighbours and friends.
Rescue crews are still looking for survivors of the blaze. Volunteer divers have been searching the sea off Mati looking for the bodies of more possible victims.
The wildfires were the worst in Europe since World War II. They left the area dotted with burnt-out trees, ashen earth and destroyed buildings.