Prayer requests made for Hannah Smyth (5) as she enters ‘next phase of recovery’ - family minister says they are taking ‘one day at a time’

Clare Smyth with her two daughters Hannah and Bethany

The collision which changed a family forever, happened a short distance from their Whitepark Road home outside Ballycastle in Co Antrim.

It is understood they had been using the quad and a trailer to put down new flower beds when the collision happened, just outside the front gate of their farm.

Clare and youngest daughter Bethany both died at the scene of the accident but Hannah was airlifted to hospital.

A children's playground in the garden of the farm on the Whitepark road, Ballycastle where a mother and daughter where killed in a crash

Speaking earlier, Rev John Stanbridge, from Ballycastle and Croaghmore Presbyterian Church, said he was just “out of the Royal Victoria Hospital where I was speaking to Ryan”

“I am happy to say that Hannah is doing really well.

“And she has moved out of ICU to the rehabilitation unit. And as far as the neurologist and the Occupational therapist are concerned, she is doing really well”.

“Let’s put it like this, Hannah is fulfilling the expectation of professionals at this stage.

The farm on the Whitepark road, Ballycastle where a mother and daughter where killed in a crash

“But I would ask people to keep the prayers going for her because she still needs then”.

When asked if Hannah will be starting school anytime soon, Rev Stanbridge said: “It is too soon to say.

“They are taking one day at a time”.

Rev Stanbridge - who has been the minister for the Smyth family - said Ryan Smyth wants to “express his sincere thanks to the medics of the RVH who are doing an incredible job”.

He added that Ryan wants to “thank everyone who has offered up prayers and support and sent letters and offered words of encouragement to his family”.

And when asked if the COVID-19 pandemic had changed or altered things for Ryan, Rev Stanbridge intimated that it had not affected him.

“Staff handle it and that is the nature of things and the circumstances we are in,” he said.

“Staff are handling it incredibly professional. They are amazing.

“From what we have seen and experienced they are amazing people”.

He added that Ryan Smyth “is an incredible guy in light of everything that has gone on”.

He added: “I am very blessed to have him as a friend and not only a friend but an example of what a Christian should be like. He is an amazing guy.

“He is also aware of the incredible generosity of people, as it has been amazing”.

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