SILENCE IN THE GAP AS LOCALS PRAY FOR GRIEVING FAMILIES
TWO yellow circles and visible skid-marks on the grass verge graphically mark the spot where two tourists lost their lives in the tragic accident at the Gap of Dunloe.
Some debris from the smashed carriage and the reins from the cart were visible on the rocks below.
And flickering poignantly against the backdrop of the mountain, two lanterns, which had been placed there by local people, sparkled orange against the yellow of a bunch of daffodils.
As the grey sky and harsh wind swept across the Kerry mountains yesterday, five members of the Garda technical team were down in the rough terrain to carry out their painstaking investigations into just how American grandmother Rosalyn Joy Few – and her Canadian partner Normand Larose – lost their lives on Monday.
The couple had been on a scenic horse-and-trap journey – with Few’s daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren following close behind in a separate carriage – when the tragedy that devastated the family struck.
One local who has walked the road for over 30 years, told the Irish Daily Mail that the tourists ‘didn’t have any chance’, once the cart went over the edge with a 17ft drop.
The skid-marks that were visible on the narrow road around 100 yards past a stone bridge where the incident occurred could only hint at the danger of the place.
It’s thought that the horse, which was experienced, lost his footing, stumbled and went over the edge.
Local woman Margaret, who lives a few hundred yards down the road from the majestic spot, said the tragedy was ‘unimaginable’.
She said: ‘I heard the sirens yesterday and the mountain rescue were on hand, but we never imagined that such a tragedy happened.
‘It’s unimaginable to think about. I have lived here for many years and never have encountered anything of this scale.’
She added: ‘The horsemen have a great reputation in the area and have always been a firm favourite with the tourists.
‘This was a happy family ride up the mountain, which thousands of other families have done over the years. It’s just tragic that such darkness hit Kerry yesterday.’
Outside the famous Kate Kearney’s cottage, silence reigned.
Locals gathered there to lead prayers for the deceased and the extended family of the Arizona family.
The hub, which is normally buzzing with tourist activity, remained quiet as the jarvey drivers decided not to go out yesterday.
One Canadian couple visiting the area told the Mail they had heard about the tragedy on the news but it was not putting them off hiking up the Gap.
Rick Matthews said: ‘It’s a very tragic event to occur, and to think we had planned to take one of the pony and traps up to the top today.
‘It’s a very tragic event and my heart goes out to the family involved.’
A Garda liaison officer was last night helping the families make plans to travel home once the postmortems have taken place.