The husband stopped when the wife and child died in a quad accident

A husband and father witnessed the death of his wife and three-year-old daughter in a tragic quad accident.

The quad, driven by Clare Smyth, collided with a tractor in Ballycastle, Co Antrim on Tuesday, May 12.

The woman’s two children, Bethany, 3, and Hannah, 5, were also involved in the accident. Bethany died at the scene of the accident.

Meanwhile, Hannah was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast for life-saving surgery. She remains seriously ill in the hospital.

Clare, Bethany and Hannah are believed to have been gardening on their family’s farm when the accident occurred.

A source close to the family now revealed that Clare Smyth’s husband Ryan was only a few yards from the quad bike when it crashed.

‘[Ryan] heard a massive explosion and immediately ran onto the nearby road, “a source told the Irish Independent.

‘He encountered an unimaginable scene. 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.

Ryan Poor Ryan is in a terrible state of shock, just like the tractor driver.

“What happened here is unimaginable. No one can believe it.”

A parish priest issued a statement on behalf of the bereaved father and husband and referred to the accident as a “strange accident”,

“What happened Tuesday was a tragic and strange accident that changed a family forever,” said the Rev. John 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 this appreciation for everyone’s prayers, especially those in Ballycastle.

“He asks that people continue to pray for Hannah.”