By Irishexaminer.com Stephen Maguire
Ella, 6, was pronounced dead at the scene while her mother, father and younger sister were rushed to the nearest hospital in Derry.
Ms McLaughlin, who was in her 20s, was initially treated at Derry’s Altnagelvin Hospital but was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where she tragically passed away on Thursday as a result of her injuries.
Her partner is still in a serious condition at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry but his injuries are not understood to be life-threatening. The couple’s other daughter, 2, was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital from Altnagelvin for specialist treatment. Her injuries are not understood to be life-threatening.
The driver of the van, who is in his late teens, was treated at the scene but his injuries are not understood to be serious.
Ms McLaughlin was well-known in her native Carndonagh, where she worked as a nurse in a local doctor’s surgery.
She qualified with a Bachelor of Science in Adult Nursing from Ulster University and began working as a Registered Nurse in 2022.
Her parents, and Ella’s grandparents, and both extended families were comforted last night by friends.
‘They are such a lovely family… It’s devastating’
Inishowen Municipal Authority cathaoirleach Martin McDermott said his thoughts and prayers are with the entire family at this trying time.
“Words fall short at this time, what can anybody say? They are such a lovely family and so well respected in our local community,” he said.
“It’s just devastating. The loss of anybody on our roads is difficult for any community to take.
“But the loss of a mother and daughter, particularly given the fact that they are so young, is even more poignant and more difficult to accept.
People are just numb and there is very little I can add to that other than to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.
Garda铆 continue to investigate all aspects of the collision.
The road on which the collision occurred, the R240 at Carrowmore, was closed for a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators but reopened on Thursday afternoon.
Garda铆 are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
Head of the Garda Traffic Corps in Co Donegal, Inspector Sean McDaid, asked any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 6pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday to make this footage available to investigating garda铆.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
A priest at the centre of the tragedy spoke of his deep sadness after visiting the family in hospital as medics worked to help those caught up in the collision.
Carndonagh parish priest Fr Con McLaughlin said he will never forget the scenes he witnessed in the Accident and Emergency unit of Altnagelvin Hospital.
Fr McLaughlin said he was not at the scene but rushed to the hospital to provide comfort.
“On hearing about the accident, I went straight over to Altnagelvin Hospital and the scene (in accident and emergency) is something I will never forget,” he said.
“In the community,y there is a shock and a disbelief. One can only imagine what the family are going through, and I witnessed that pain in the hospital last night.
“The scene in the hospital was just so, so sad. You had doctors and nurses running around trying to do their best to help these poor, helpless people. It is something I will never, ever forget.
“I just wanted to be a presence there for the famil,y and I did not speak too much but I just wanted them to know that we are all there for them.”
Fr McLaughlin said the people of Inishowen are once again suffering tragedy on their roads, an experience they sadly know too well.