Police quiz man overTwelfth bonfire crash
DETECTIVES investigating an incident at an Eleventh night bonfire where a driver ploughed through a crowd of revellers have arrested a 29-year-old man.
The man, who was arrested yesterday lunchtime, is currently assisting police with their inquiries.
Meanwhile, the daughter of one of the crash victims, who was thrown into the air from her wheelchair when struck by the vehicle, has spoken of her mother's injuries.
Gemma Henning had attended the celebrations in south Belfast with her 49-year-old mother, sisters and young nephew when a driver accelerated through the crowd in Coolfin Street, just off the Donegall Road.
Seven people, including two young children, were injured during the chaos shortly after 1am, with nine ambulances summoned to tend the injured.
Describing the scene, Ms Henning said: "It was the scariest thing ever. When she was hit mum thought that was it, she was sure she was going to die."
Her mother underwent major surgery last Wednesday, when metal plates and rods were inserted into her right knee and thigh.
Ms Henning's mother is now stable, but her daughter warned she has a "long road to recovery" ahead of her.
"Mum's still in shock and to be honest I don't think she's really taken in what has happened to her yet," she said.
"She knows that she's lucky to be alive, and all the doctors keep telling her the same thing.
"Mum broke her hip two months ago and was just starting to become more like herself and was able to stand again. Now this has happened and set her right back to the beginning".
In an attempt to move her mother's wheelchair out of the path of the car, Ms Henning was also clipped by the vehicle.
"I felt the full force of the car and got away with some bruising, I can only imagine what pain my mum must have gone through".
She added: "There was such a family atmosphere that night, everyone was having so much fun until that car came and everything turned to madness.
"It was all over in a split second, I don't know where he came from, but the moment when my mum was hit keeps playing over in slow motion in my brain. That will always be with me."
Ms Henning's sister was also injured in the incident and suffered a bruised spine and tissue damage for which she is currently undergoing physio.
Her two-and-a-half year old nephew was also struck while in his pram but was thankfully unhurt.
Ms Henning said: "The wheels of the pram were crushed but he wasn't hurt. Wheels can be replaced, he can't."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
