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‘When the car hit us, I never thought we'd all get out alive' – Family's miracle survival in horror crash that killed 3
A MUM of four told how her family's lives changed forever after their car collided with a drunk driver's vehicle.
Three men in one car lost their lives in the smash on the Military Road in Dungarvan,
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One Irish family's lives changed forever after their car collided with a drunk driver's vehicle
Credit: RTE
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Three passengers in the opposite car instantly died in the horrifying crash
Credit: RTE
Mary Bermingham was in the front seat with her partner Gary Fenton driving.
Heading towards Kilmeaden to see the Santa train, the family's car was struck by a
Mary said: 'I sat in a car and thought I would die. I can't explain what that feels like.'
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The other car was driven by Eamon Dixon, 22.
He and his passenger Michael Tobin, 38, were both from Dungarvan.
The other passenger was Kenneth O'Sullivan, 39, of Blackpool,
All three were burnt beyond recognition after their car burst into a fireball.
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All three were killed instantly.
Dixon had 221mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood as well as traces of cocaine and other
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Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said such intoxication would 'seriously impair the ability to drive'.
Speaking on Impact — Anatomy Of A Car Crash, which airs tomorrow at 9.35pm on
Her daughter Chloe said: 'When I looked up from my phone, I saw a car coming head on.
'I screamed. I remember the bang to this day, I can still hear that bang.
'I can feel my body being thrown forward still. It's just horrific.'
Mary told how a witness pulled her daughter Abbie from the crushed
'It was one of the worst nightmares'
She said: 'I thought 'he's going to comfort her at least'. I thought this is going to be the last time we see her. I shouted 'I love you Abbie' and genuinely thought I'd never see her again.
'It was one of the worst nightmares you could be awake in. I could see Gary unconscious, slumped on the wheel. I could see his mouth foaming.'
Mary lost brother Christopher, 24, in a car crash just two years prior to
And describing her rescue, she said: 'As I was being wheeled onto the helicopter, my brother was standing there. He didn't speak, we just hugged. My brother was there that day.'
Mary woke up in intensive care and was 'struggling to breath'.
Daughter Chloe, then 15, underwent a five-hour surgery to repair her spleen and intestines.
With her family members taken to separate
Mary continued: 'I was told Gary was in intensive care. I didn't think he would come out.'
Gary had the most serious injuries and was taken to theatre.
Medics then informed him that he had broken his C2 vertebra.
Gary said: 'The doctor said, 'How are you still alive?'. I broke all my ribs. I'd a punctured lung, internal bleeding. I'd shattered my femurs, broke my kneecaps, my arm. I wanted to see Mary and the kids, to make sure they were alright.'
Mary fractured her C2 and broke her ribs, both legs, her back, her left arm and an ankle.
She said: 'Thomas had no injuries, just a seat belt mark. His angel was with him. Abbie broke her pelvis, but still climbed the seats and took our seat belts off. Annalee fractured her skull and neck.'
But Mary added: 'I still have night terrors. I jump out of bed thinking I'm trapped.'
