This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/22/buncrana-pier-deaths-slipway-was-slippery-as-ice-witness-tells-inquest
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Buncrana pier deaths: driver was three times over drink-drive limit | Buncrana pier deaths: driver was three times over drink-drive limit |
| (17 days later) | |
| The driver of a SUV that came off a slipway in the Irish Republic, killing five members of a family from Derry, was three times over the drink-drive limit, an inquest into their deaths has heard. | The driver of a SUV that came off a slipway in the Irish Republic, killing five members of a family from Derry, was three times over the drink-drive limit, an inquest into their deaths has heard. |
| Sean McGrotty, 49, was found to have 159 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The drink-drive limit in the Irish Republic is 50mg. | Sean McGrotty, 49, was found to have 159 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The drink-drive limit in the Irish Republic is 50mg. |
| He died alongside his sons Mark, 12, and Evan, eight, his wife’s 14-year-old sister, Jodie-Lee, and her mother, Ruth Daniels, 59, after their Audi Q7 slid off Buncrana pier into the waters of Lough Swilly in County Donegal. | He died alongside his sons Mark, 12, and Evan, eight, his wife’s 14-year-old sister, Jodie-Lee, and her mother, Ruth Daniels, 59, after their Audi Q7 slid off Buncrana pier into the waters of Lough Swilly in County Donegal. |
| McGrotty’s wife, Louise, was returning from a weekend hen party in Liverpool at the time. | McGrotty’s wife, Louise, was returning from a weekend hen party in Liverpool at the time. |
| Only the couple’s infant daughter, Rioghnach-Ann, survived thanks to a passerby. David Walsh dived into the lough, swam to the sinking SUV and managed to rescue the child. | Only the couple’s infant daughter, Rioghnach-Ann, survived thanks to a passerby. David Walsh dived into the lough, swam to the sinking SUV and managed to rescue the child. |
| During the hearing on Wednesday, the state pathologist, Dr Catriona Dillon, told the inquest about the alcohol level in McGrotty’s blood, adding: “I cannot say what level of impairment the driver had, that depends on was he habitual, was he accustomed.” | During the hearing on Wednesday, the state pathologist, Dr Catriona Dillon, told the inquest about the alcohol level in McGrotty’s blood, adding: “I cannot say what level of impairment the driver had, that depends on was he habitual, was he accustomed.” |
| The inquest also heard that it would have cost just €400 (£355) to clear the pier of the green algae that has been cited as a factor in McGrotty losing control of the car on 20 March last year. Witnesses reported that the algae had made the slipway “slippery as ice”. | The inquest also heard that it would have cost just €400 (£355) to clear the pier of the green algae that has been cited as a factor in McGrotty losing control of the car on 20 March last year. Witnesses reported that the algae had made the slipway “slippery as ice”. |
| John McLaughlin, of Donegal county council, said the purpose of cleaning the slipway was to facilitate a ferry which used it during the summer but not in the winter. | John McLaughlin, of Donegal county council, said the purpose of cleaning the slipway was to facilitate a ferry which used it during the summer but not in the winter. |
| The council commissioned consultants to draw up a report after the accident. | The council commissioned consultants to draw up a report after the accident. |
| McLaughlin added: “The €400 talks about removing it [algae] once but it does not say the frequency of removal, so that will be a matter for Donegal county council and the total cost. But certainly €400 sseems low.” | McLaughlin added: “The €400 talks about removing it [algae] once but it does not say the frequency of removal, so that will be a matter for Donegal county council and the total cost. But certainly €400 sseems low.” |
| He said during winter the slipway was rarely used and that the council was doing everything in its power within its budget to ensure no repeat of the accident. | He said during winter the slipway was rarely used and that the council was doing everything in its power within its budget to ensure no repeat of the accident. |
| There was no barrier to prevent people or vehicles going along the slipway and that risk assessment on it had not been carried out for 15 years, lawyer Keith O’Grady told the inquest. | There was no barrier to prevent people or vehicles going along the slipway and that risk assessment on it had not been carried out for 15 years, lawyer Keith O’Grady told the inquest. |
| Earlier Walsh recalled the moments when he saw the rest of the family sink underwater. | Earlier Walsh recalled the moments when he saw the rest of the family sink underwater. |
| In a statement he said he heard “screaming and shouting” coming from the SUV. | In a statement he said he heard “screaming and shouting” coming from the SUV. |
| “I saw the driver trying to break the car window with his elbow, he broke the window. I said to him: ‘Everyone needs to get out now.’ The father passed the baby out the window, he sat on the ledge with his hands on the roof – I had to reach up to get the baby.” | “I saw the driver trying to break the car window with his elbow, he broke the window. I said to him: ‘Everyone needs to get out now.’ The father passed the baby out the window, he sat on the ledge with his hands on the roof – I had to reach up to get the baby.” |
| Walsh described the vehicle as “tilted with the front under the water and the back wheel up”. He continued: “I then saw a young boy try to climb over the back of the driver’s seat. I grabbed him by the hand but he was caught on something. The water started to gush into the car, I still had the boy’s hand but the car went under the water, nose first. | Walsh described the vehicle as “tilted with the front under the water and the back wheel up”. He continued: “I then saw a young boy try to climb over the back of the driver’s seat. I grabbed him by the hand but he was caught on something. The water started to gush into the car, I still had the boy’s hand but the car went under the water, nose first. |
| “I was struggling and had to let go. That was the last time I saw anyone else in the car. I had the baby in my hand and was trying to keep her above water, I swam the backstroke back to the car as this was the best way to keep the baby out of water.” | “I was struggling and had to let go. That was the last time I saw anyone else in the car. I had the baby in my hand and was trying to keep her above water, I swam the backstroke back to the car as this was the best way to keep the baby out of water.” |
| The inquest continues on Thursday. | The inquest continues on Thursday. |