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The heartbroken husband of a woman who died with her three-year-old daughter on a quad bike was only a few meters from her family when the horrible accident occurred.
Lare Smyth (35) and her youngest daughter Bethany died instantly when their vehicle collided with a tractor on Whitepark Road in Ballycastle, Co Antrim, just before 5pm on Tuesday.
Ryan Smyth’s surviving daughter Hannah (5) underwent life-saving surgery after being airlifted to Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, where she remains seriously ill.
Her devastated father was holding a vigil by her bed last night.
Mr. Smyth, a well-known local farmer in his 30s, and his wife had been tending their garden with Hannah and Bethany before the tragedy.
Ms. Smyth and the girls are believed to have been using the quad bike, which had a small trailer attached, to move plants destined for a new flower bed they had just created.
The accident occurred near the entrance to the family farm on the outskirts of Ballycastle, on the way to Ballintoy and the Giant’s Causeway.
Ms. Smyth is believed to have been taking a shortcut to another part of the farmland when the fatal collision with her neighbor occurred.
A source close to the family said that Mr. Smyth “heard a massive explosion and immediately ran onto the nearby highway, where he was met with an unimaginable scene.”
The source added: “He realized almost immediately that there was nothing he could do for Clare.
“But he cradled those two little girls in his arms as he waited for help to arrive.
“Poor Ryan was in a terrible state of shock, as was the tractor driver.
“It is unimaginable what happened here.
“No one can believe it.”
Smyth and Bethany were pronounced dead at the scene.
Local councilman Adrian McQuillan described the Smyths as “a working Christian family” and said, “It is time for our prayers and support.” The DUP politician added: “The entire community is praying for Hannah.
“We desperately want him to go through this.
“Everyone’s thoughts and prayers are also with Ryan and the tractor driver, and their two families.”
Ms. Smyth, who was originally from Bushmills, Co Antrim, was a volunteer volunteer for the Girls Brigade at Dunluce Presbyterian Church.
Her injured daughter, Hannah, a student at Dunseverick Elementary School in Bushmills, is a guide there.
Bethany, who was due to start preschool at Dunseverick in September, was treated at the scene of the accident, then transferred to the Causeway Coast Hospital before being airlifted to Belfast.
Her parents had been married for 15 years, and had celebrated their wedding on Clara’s 21st birthday.
The Rev. John Stanbridge, minister of Ballycastle and the Croaghmore Presbyterian Church, yesterday issued a statement on behalf of Mr. Smyth in which he thanked the emergency services and asked people to pray for Hannah.
“What happened Tuesday was a strange and tragic accident that changed a family forever,” said the Rev. Stanbridge.
“In making this statement, I have spoken to Ryan, who is at his daughter Hannah’s bedside at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast, and would like to express his appreciation for everyone’s prayers, especially those in Ballycastle, and ask people to keep praying for Hannah. “
Irish independent
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