Tears for our perfect family
Relatives’ ‘devastation’ after couple and daughters die in horror crash
THE family of a couple who died with their two young children in a car crash yesterday spoke of their ‘utterly devastating’ loss.
Gemma Cousin, 26, was driving husband Rhys, 25, and their daughters – Peyton, three, and one-yearold Heidi – when they were killed in a two-vehicle smash on Thursday.
Police said they were travelling in a green Mini Cooper when they hit a red Ford Fiesta coming the other way at Torlundy, near Fort William, Inverness-shire. Paramedics raced to the scene but all four family members were pronounced dead.
Last night, Mr Cousin’s mother, Samantha Cousin, posted on Facebook that the family were ‘totally heartbroken’, adding: ‘There are no words. I am eternally grateful for everyone’s kind words. I am broken.’ A statement from relatives issued yesterday paid tribute to a ‘loving and devoted’ family.
It said: ‘Both families are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Gemma, Rhys, Peyton and Heidi.
‘They were a young family with so much to look forward to.
‘To have their lives cut short so suddenly and in such circumstances is utterly devastating. Gemma and Rhys worked really hard to provide a loving, secure and safe home and family life for their girls, who they were totally devoted to.
‘They were known by many, with both families being extended, and their loss will be felt far and wide.
‘Due to the horrific circumstances, we would like to thank the emergency services and everyone who was involved on the night.
‘We would also like to thank everyone for the support we continue to receive.’
Tributes were also paid to the Cousin family on social media.
Police Scotland said an inquiry had been launched to establish the ‘full circumstances’ which led to the tragedy.
Last night, a spokesman for the force appealed for witnesses, saying: ‘Anyone who has information which has not yet been passed to police is asked to come forward. This includes if you have seen either vehicle involved on the road before the collision or if you have dashcam footage.’
The crash happened at 5.30pm on Thursday. The other driver, a 56year-old woman, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. It is believed specially trained officers have been called in to support the families of Mr and Mrs Cousin.
On Friday Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, the local Nationalist MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, tweeted her condolences, posting: ‘Thinking of the families and friends who are dealing with the shock of all this.’