Nurses killed in crash on holiday of lifetime
TWO NHS nurses have been killed in a car crash while visiting the Grand Canyon on their dream holiday.
Tatiana Brandão, 30, and Raquel Moreira, 28, died instantly when the Jeep they were in collided with a bus.
According to reports, the driver of their vehicle performed a U-turn while on State Route 64 in Arizona when it was struck. The road acts as a gateway to the canyon.
The nurses were sitting in the rear. No one on the bus was injured in the collision on February 3.
Talented
Pictures from the scene show the white Jeep overturned in deep snow to the side of the road.
The nurses, who worked at Southampton General Hospital, had spent years planning the road trip across the States.
They had posted pictures and a video of their travels in the days before the fatal crash.
Just 48 hours before the accident, Raquel uploaded footage of the pair smiling and laughing as they visited Hollywood and Universal Studios.
The “kind and talented” nurses worked together after moving to the UK from Portugal. Tatiana’s motherin-law and partner were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Gail Byrne, nursing director at University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, said the nursing family has been left “shocked and saddened” by losing two “much-loved colleagues”.
“Tatiana joined the trust seven years ago and was a highly respected member of the neurology unit.
“Raquel had worked at UHS for the past five years and was a very valued part of the stroke advanced clinical practitioners team.
“Both had chosen to move from Portugal to join UHS and had bright careers ahead of them. The friends were well known for their kindness, empathy and enthusiasm.
Adventure
“Both were passionate about nursing and providing the very best care for our patients.
“Outside of work, they shared a love for new experiences, adventure and living life to the fullest.”
She added: “I know I speak on behalf of the entire UHS workforce in saying they will be sorely missed. We send our love and condolences.”