The family of two Mayo sisters killed in a road accident in South America in March were told at inquests in Castlebar yesterday that death was most likely instantaneous.
Anne-Marie (26) and Niamh O'Loughlin (24), from Aghamore, Ballyhaunis, were two of seven tourists killed after a van in which they were travelling plunged 1,000 feet into a ravine. Another Irish woman, Ms Eugenie Catherine McGee (25), from Donegal, also died.
The bodies of the sisters were transported to Dublin on March 16th, 10 days after the accident and post-mortems were carried out at the Mayo General Hospital by Dr Gerry Solan, consultant pathologist, who reported that death occurred as a result of multiple injuries. The jury recorded verdicts of accidental death.