A WELL-known author whose stepsons were caught up in the tragic events at the Greenvale Hotel, has told of her relief that they made it home safely as she offered heartfelt sympathy to the victims' families.
Emma Heatherington, who lives in Donaghmore, said she was "never as glad to hear the boys' voices".
But she spoke of the heartbreak she feels for the families of the young people who died and who "didn't hear the door opening like we did".
Dualta McKee and his brother Adam had both been attending the St Patrick's night disco.
Dualta told UTV: “I didn't see it coming. For a local place that everyone goes out to and enjoys themselves, to see that there coming from that is horrible.
The victims:
- Morgan Barnard's father describes the family's devastation
- Connor Currie was 'much loved'
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"Everyone was sort of packed in because everyone was sort of pushing in, trying to get into the Greenvale. Once someone fell to the ground, everyone separated.
“The police were rung and everyone was just evacuated.
"Everyone was getting calls and texts asking if you were okay. Every parent was obviously frightened, wondering if it was their children."
His step-mother added: "Unfortunately, a very local family has got the news that we all just dreaded.
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“My daughter who’s 17, she wasn’t there and was completely oblivious to what had gone on, but then she was to learn that one of her good friends had died," said Ms Heatherington.
“And then dealing with that and her pain … Obviously we’re all just devastated. We’re a very, very small community here in Donaghmore and it’s affected us right at the heart of our village.”
Ms Heatheringon had tweeted last night: "Absolutely devastating news in Tyrone. Our two boys are home safe from the Greenvale, shaken but uninjured thank goodness. Never been so scared. Heartbreaking for the families who are not seeing their children come home tonight."
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