Daughter who survived tragic tractor collision making ‘small steps in right direction’

A five-year-old girl who was airlifted to hospital after a tragic collision in Ballycastle that claimed the life of her mother and three-year-old sister is said to be making “small but significant steps in the right direction”.
By Niall Deeney
Published 14th May 2020, 18:01 BST
PACEMAKER BELFAST 13/05/2020 Claire Smyth and her two daughters Hannah and Bethany who were involved in a tragic quad bike accident at their home in BallycastlePACEMAKER BELFAST 13/05/2020 Claire Smyth and her two daughters Hannah and Bethany who were involved in a tragic quad bike accident at their home in Ballycastle
PACEMAKER BELFAST 13/05/2020 Claire Smyth and her two daughters Hannah and Bethany who were involved in a tragic quad bike accident at their home in Ballycastle

The incident, which was described by Rev John Stanbridge, Minister of Ballycastle and Croaghmore Presbyterian Church, as a “tragic accident” occurred on Tuesday when a quad bike collided with a tractor on Whitepark Road.

Clare Smyth (35) and her two daughters, five year-old Hannah and three year-old Bethany, were travelling on the quad bike when the collision occurred.

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Clare and youngest daughter, Bethany, both died at the scene of the accident but five year-old Hannah was airlifted to hospital where she underwent hours of lifesaving surgery.

Husband and father, Ryan Smyth, has remained at Hannah’s bedside ever since.

Rev John Stanbridge visited Mr Smyth at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast today.

“I am pleased to report, that while these are very, very early days, Hannah is making small but significant steps in the right direction, which is good news,” he said.

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“The family have been astounded by the love and support that they have received from so many different quarters and the wealth of prayer across the Christian churches that is being prayed, which they are so thankful for. Ryan has asked me to encourage people to continue to pray and thank the wider farming community for coming together in different ways to support them at this time.”

Rev Stanbdridge continued: “The family is also painfully aware that it is not only their family who have been affected by this tragic and freak accident. They have asked that people pray for everyone involved.”

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