Three generations wiped out in ‘unspeakable’ tragedy

TRAGEDY Emergency services at the scene near Claremorris last September when three generations of the Wilson family lost their lives.

Accidental death verdict recorded at inquest into the deaths of three members of the Wilson family

Anton McNulty

A VERDICT of accidental death was recorded in the deaths of three generations of the Wilson family, who were killed when their car collided with a lorry along the N17 near Claremorris last September.
Mary Ann Wilson (67) of Cross, Binghamstown, her daughter Marcella (39) and Marcella’s seven-year-old son, SeΡn were all killed instantly after their car was struck by a lorry at the junction of the N17 at Lisduff, Claremorris on September 11, 2017.
The inquest which took place in Castlebar Courthouse this afternoon (Tuesday) heard that the Citroen C3 driven by Marcella was struck by a lorry as she came out onto the N17 from a junction at approximately 12.30pm.
A verdict of accidental death was recorded for each of the three deceased members of the family by the six-person jury.
Mark Tierney, driver of the lorry which struck the Wilson family car, gave evidence where he recalled passing the junction.
“I remember a bang, a loud bang - the lorry and trailer, I remember the whole thing shook,” he said.
Jackie Stephens, a witness to the accident, said the truck driver could do nothing about what happened and explained he did not see the car stop at the junction before being struck by the trailer.
A Garda investigation found that the car collided with the nearside of the semi-trailer and ended up in trees at the side of the road. Mr Tierney’s driving was investigated and he was exonerated in all reports undertaken in the aftermath of the accident.
The post mortem found that the three members of the Wilson family all died as a result of  traumatic head injuries.
In expressing his sympathy to the Wilson family, Mr Patrick O’Connor, Coroner for Mayo, described the events as ‘unspeakable’ and words could not describe the tragedy which unfolded on the family on that day. He also expressed his sympathy to Mr Tierney.
Mr O’Connor also added that the onus was on the local authority and state agencies to look into improving the safety of the N17. He said that from his own experience driving between Knock and Ballindine was a form of ‘Russian Roulette’.

See next week’s Mayo News for full report from the inquest.