Wexford dad-of-two died in fatal multi-vehicle crash on N25, inquest hears
Wexford PeopleThe car driven by a Wexford father of two who died in a fatal crash hit the right rear wheel of a tractor before veering across the road into another car, Wexford Coroner’s Court heard.
Patrick Joseph (PJ) Whitty late of Hillview, Carnagh, Gusserane, Wexford, died in a multi-vehicle accident on the N25 outside Ballinaboola on February 22 2023.
Inspector Darragh Jennings read various witness statements at a sitting of Wexford Coroner’s Court held at Gorey District Court on September 29 outlining what occurred on the day in question.
The witness statements described the fatal accident involving two vehicles and a tractor. Witnesses had said that the tractor was overturned in a nearby field with the driver, Tom O’Brien a man in his 70s, lying half under an electrical fence which was shocking him. Amanda Connick, a nurse who came across the scene on her drive home, attended to the victims with the help of other witnesses while waiting for paramedics, including placing a wooden plank on the fence to free Mr O’Brien.
The tractor was smoking and fluid was leaking onto the man’s head, and the inquest was told that two Polish men assisted in cutting the electrical wires on the tractor to prevent a fire. Mr O’Brien came to and was confused as to what had happened. He was subsequently taken to Waterford Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Ms Connick subsequently assisted Mr Whitty’s two young daughters, aged six and nine at the time, who were present in the vehicle with him. One of the girls was removed from the car while the other needed to the help of the fire brigade to remove her as she was wedged in.
A report on the scene, described as “pure chaos” was carried out by Inspector Liam Kavanagh was also read into evidence which described the serious collision on a wide open stretch.
The report showed that the speedometer on Mr Whitty’s car was locked at 140kmh and intoxicants were not a factor.
The report went on to state that the vehicle being driven by PJ Whitty collided with the rear right tyre of the tractor and having done so veered across the road into the oncoming vehicle, being driven by Damian Lawlor.
According to the report the beacon on top of the tractor was not engaged however, the vehicle was said to be sufficiently lit.
The findings of the report where that it “can find no case worthy of prosecution against Damien Lawlor or Tom O’Brien. Both were unsuspecting road users and were in no way to blame for the collision that occurred".
In his report Inspector Kavanagh commended the bravery shown by all those involved in the face of trauma. The inquest heard that Mr Whitty was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fíona Reynolds, coroner county Wexford, ruled Mr Whitty’s cause of death was as a result of multiple traumatic injuries sustained from a road traffic accident.
Ms Reynolds and An Garda Síochána extended their deepest sympathies to the family and all those involved in the accident with Inspector Jennings noting a tragedy such as this one is not easy for any individual involved from witnesses to members of An Garda Síochána.