Northern Ireland

Community gather to mourn mum and daughter killed in Ballycastle quad bike accident

Clare Smyth and her daughter Bethany (3) died following a quad bike accident near their Ballycastle home in Co Antrim on Tuesday
Clare Smyth and her daughter Bethany (3) died following a quad bike accident near their Ballycastle home in Co Antrim on Tuesday Clare Smyth and her daughter Bethany (3) died following a quad bike accident near their Ballycastle home in Co Antrim on Tuesday

FAMILY and friends of a Co Antrim woman and her young daughter killed in a quad bike accident gathered on Sunday to say their final goodbyes.

Clare Smyth (35) and her youngest child Bethany (3) died after their bike was in collision with a tractor close to the family farm near Ballycastle on Tuesday.

Her eldest daughter, five-year-old Hannah, a pupil at Dunservick Primary School, remains in hospital after being seriously injured in the crash. She has already undergone seven hours of surgery and was due to have an MRI scan on her head and neck.

Mrs Smyth’s husband Ryan, who was on the scene within minutes, is maintaining a vigil at his daughter’s bedside in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

While a service of thanksgiving took place privately for Mrs Smyth and her daughter, those wishing to pay their respects were asked to do so outside Ballycastle Presbyterian Church, while adhering to social distancing rules.

The Rev John Stanbridge, from Ballycastle and Croaghmore Presbyterian Church, who is the family’s minister, said the church family “had marvelled at this family’s love for one another”.

He said when he first met Clare and Ryan he “instantly liked the two of them” adding: “You could instantly see the love they had for one another. They were straight and to the point, candid, yet generous with their words.

“As the Smyth family joined us each week for worship, we as church family marvelled at this family’s love for one another, their love for God,” he said.

Mr Stanbridge said Hannah “so loved her wee sister, as did Clare and Ryan” and that the siblings “always brought a smile to our faces, sometimes laughter, often stunned us with depth of their knowledge of God word at such a tender age”.

“As a family they carried joy and love in their hearts and lavishly shared what they had with all those they met,” he said.

“As a church family we are so going to miss Clare and Bethany’s company. Their smiles and laughter, their faithfulness and witness amongst us and the many others ways, too many to mention that have added and blessed our individual lives and our


fellowship.”

After the service Mr Stanbridge read out this statement from Mr Smyth: “We very much appreciate all your thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time, and the way that so many people, our neighbours and friends and those we don’t even know paid their respects along the route and outside the church today.

“Due to the sensitive nature of what has happened to my family, at this time and with regards Hannah’s ongoing hospital stay, our focus will be on her.”

Committal took place in the graveyard in the church grounds.