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Man still critical after horrific
crash
21.04.09
by Linda McGrory
A MAN remains in critical condition in a Belfast
hospital following a crash that claimed the life of
his cousin in Redcastle on Sunday.
Hugh Donegan, aged 32, of Drumleck Drive, Shantallow,
was killed instantly when their car left the road at
Clar, Redcastle, around 10am on Sunday.
The vehicle - a red older model BMW - careered
through a fence into a field, throwing both men from
the car. The single-vehicle crash happened in
bright, sunny conditions on a bend on the main Muff
to Moville Road, at a place known locally as
Bankhead. |
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Mr Donegan was
pronounced dead at the scene by a NowDoc doctor. The
injured man is in his late 20s and while originally
from Shantallow, has been living in Clar with his
family for several years. He was initially treated
for his injuries at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry
but was transferred to the Royal Victorial Hospital
in Belfast where he underwent emergency surgery
lasting several hours for serious head injuries. He
was last night described by the Royal as "critically
ill". Buncrana Garda Superintendent Paul Glynn said
the accident happened in "perfect" weather
conditions adding that initial investigations
suggested speed was a factor. |
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"The car was coming
from the Muff direction, it left the road and went
through a fence before finishing up on its wheels in
a field," said Supt Glynn. The car travelled about
60 yards into the field before the two victims were
thrown a distance of around 10 yards from the
vehicle. Supt Glynn said the sound of the impact was
heard by people living nearby, who raised the alarm. |
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The road was also busy
at the time with people travelling to 10.30am Mass
in Drung, Redcastle, and early-morning day-trippers
enjoying one of the sunniest days of the year so
far. It has also emerged that the injured man
already survived a serious road accident that
claimed the life of his friend in Burnfoot in 2007. |
He was one of the
witnesses in the subsequent inquest into the fatal
accident.
The SDLP's Mary Bradley MLA said the tragedy was a
shock for the area. "This is another sad day for
Shantallow. I know both families and my thoughts are
with them at this tragic time.
“One man is dead and the other is quite ill. It is a
terrible blow for any family to get that news,” she
said. The scene of the accident was closed to
traffic for most of yesterday to allow for a garda
forensic examination.
Meanwhile, Supt Glynn appealed for witnesses to the
accident. "We are appealing for anyone who was in
the area at the time and who could have anything to
add to the investigation, to contact gardai in
Buncrana," he said. Buncrana Garda Station can be
reached at 07493 20540. |
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