Woman in wheelchair after collision urges road caution

A woman who is in a wheelchair following a road traffic collision that claimed the lives of two of her friends has appealed to young people to exercise caution and care on the road.

Rachel Elliot was in a road traffic collision in Bundoran, Co Donegal, on 19 August 2018 told her story at a Road Safety Roadshow in Letterkenny.

She said: "Six of us got into a car after a night out. The driver reached a speed of 75 mph [120 kph] 550 yards from where we parked. He hit the kerb, a wall and then the side of a building. It caused the four of us to go out to the back window. Two of my friends died.

"I'm now in a wheelchair because I didn't think twice before I got into that car. My message is to think twice before you do get into a car that's overloaded with a driver who is drinking and wear your seatbelt."

Almost 3,000 secondary school students attending a road safety roadshow in Letterkenny heard Rachel tell of the years it took to come to terms with what happened.

"I will never come to terms with the fact that I cannot walk but I have to live with it, living in a wheelchair.

"Trying to be a mum. Trying to live a normal life isn’t easy," Rachel added.

Donegal Road Safety Working Group organised a two-day road safety show in association with Donegal County Council as part of ongoing effort to promote safer behaviours on the roads.

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Superintendent David Kelly said sadly there have been 13 fatal road traffic conditions in Donegal this year in which 15 people have died, which is far too high, he added.

He said the event was part of the three pillar approach to road safety comprised of engineering. enforcement, and education.

Supt Kelly said: "There are students here from all the post primary schools in Donegal and schools from Northern Ireland. These children are our next drivers who will behind a wheel. We want them to be safe.

They’re hearing a person who dies in a road traffic collision is not a statistic. They’re a person. There’s devastation left behind for their families and friends."

The event featured presentations and first-hand accounts from An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service, Donegal Fire Service, an Emergency Department Consultant, a family member of a road traffic incident victim and a road traffic incident survivor.

Bernadette Rice from Ramelton in Donegal told students life will never be the same without her twin sister, Clarice, who passed away on 27 December 2019 in a road traffic incident.

She said: "Clarice was 26 years old. She had a three-year-old daughter when she passed away. It was Christmas time. She was driving too fast and unfortunately it resulted in her tragic death.

"Tragically, I have a niece now who we adore and love. She has to go now through life without her mammy through unfortunate events.

"Even if I saved one life today; it's a message I just want to get across. We have to slow down and respect the roads."

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Councillor Niamh Kennedy, said raising awareness and education can make a lasting difference.

"We want our young people to stop and think before they get into a car, whether it’s the driver’s fitness to drive, how fast they drive, or simply remembering to wear a seatbelt," Cllr Kennedy said.

The Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, John G. McLaughlin said every death or serious injury on our roads brings grief.

He extended a heartfelt thanks to all the speakers for their dedication and for sharing their personal stories.