Coroner praises Elber for her campaign work
INQUEST HEARS OF CON’S INJURIES
A NORTH Cork woman who lost her family when a suicide driver crashed into their car while on holiday in the UK has been praised by a coroner for her work in campaigning to increase awareness of the risk of suicide.
Cork City Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane paid tribute to Elber Twomey (37) from Meelin who lost her 16 month old son, Oisin, her unborn baby Elber Marie and her husband, Con in the horrific car crash in Devon in the summer of 2012.
The tragedy happened when Polish taxi driver Marek Wojciechowski (26) drove on to his incorrect side of the road and crashed into the Twomey family car after police had signalled to him to stop upon discovering that he had left a suicide note.
Last week a jury in Cork returned a narrative verdict at an inquest into the death of Con Twomey (39) who died at Cork University Hospital on May 3, 2013, almost ten months after he sustained serious injuries in the crash in Devon.
Dr Cullinane said she wished to place on record her deepest condolences to Ms Twomey on her loss and acknowledge the tremendous work she had done since being bereaved to highlight the importance of suicide awareness. “People have been aware and greatly moved by the unspeakable tragedy you have suffered and the loss of your beautiful Oisin, your husband Con and your unborn daughter, Elber Marie,” said Dr Cullinane.
“You have shown great dignity and courage in dealing with your loss and I wish to commend you on your selfless work in the area of suicide risk awareness to ensure that no other family has to go the dreadful experience that you have gone through.”
Dr Cullinane wished Ms Twomey well with a planned ‘remorial’ for her family on the weekend of June 6th-8th.
The inquest heard how the Twomey family were on the last day of a holiday in Devon and were driving to catch a ferry back to Ireland when Polish taxi driver, Marek Wojciechowski deliberately rammed their VW Golf on Hamelin Way near Torquay.
Mr Twomey suffered serious brain injuries as well as broken ribs, a collapsed lung and abdominal injuries.
Mr Twomey, a former Meelin hurler, spent over a month at Derriford Hospital in Devon before he was transferred back to Cork University Hospital on August 8, 2012 to be nearer his family.
However, his condition deteriorated on October 1, 2012 and surgery was undertaken by to relieve pressure on his brain but his condition failed to improve and he died some seven months later at CUH on May 3, 2013, the inquest heard.
After the inquest, Ms Twomey issued a statement in which she told of how difficult the past two years have been before expressing her gratitude to everyone who had supported her campaign to increase awareness of the risk of suicide. “I am grateful to all those including politicians, charities, the media and ordinary Irish and British people who have helped support my campaign for greater road safety and enhanced training resources for An Garda Siochana so that no other family has to ensure the terrible loss that I have suffered.”
“I especially wish to thank my family and Con's family for their incredible support. I wish to remember my ' beauties' - Con, Oisin and Elber Marie - as they were before that July day.”
“To suitably remember them, we have organised a special remembrance event, a 'remorial' so to speak, in North Cork on June 6/8 which I would urge people to support in whatever way they can,” she said in the statement.