Relatives of Cork couple Con (39) and Elber Twomey (36) have told of their ‘raw and heartfelt’ shock following last Friday’s devastating crash in Devon.
The couple, who lost lost their son Oisín in a high speed collision, were expecting a baby girl, whom they had named Elber Marie.
In a statement released via Devon and Cornwall police today, family members said 18-month-old Oisín was the light of his parents’ lives. Baby Elber, was ‘born an angel’ the statement said.
The couple remain seriously ill at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where family members are praying for their recovery.
“Con and Elber Twomey, devoted husband and wife, father and mother to Oisín who was the light of their lives, are in the thoughts and prayers of everyone who knew them at this time. The shock if the events which took place last Friday afternoon is still so raw and heartfelt,” the family statement said.
Mr and Mrs Twomey were ‘embedded in their community’ and involved in all aspects of it including GAA and local events. They were always together, supporting friends, neighbours and relatives, the statement said.
“Their faith too was evident with a proactive involvement in the church. At this time we, their family, and friends pray that this faith is rewarded with a real recovery,” relatives said.
The family were on holiday in south west England when the collision happened at Torquay in Devon. Large crowds are expected to turn out at a prayer service for the couple and their children at a mass in Kanturk tomorrow evening, where Mrs Twomey is a primary school teacher at the Convent of Mercy.
More than 1,000 people turned out at a mass for the couple in Rockchapel last night.
Meanwhile, Newmarket Parish Priest Fr David Herlihy was set to travel to England by ferry tomorrow morning to support family members maintaining their vigil at the UK hospital.
He said family members were only allowed short access visits to see the couple as doctors continued to treat the Twomey’s today.
“The people are reverting to prayer at this time, they don’t know what to do or say, all they feel they can do is pray and let the doctors do their best for them,” Fr Herlihy said.