Heartbreak over death of ‘Big Davy’

Dad of two, David McSheffrey (47) is believed to have been killed by a lorry as he walked home after spending a night with friends in El Perello, Tarragona, north east Spain.

Speaking to The Coleraine Times yesterday, his sister Amanda, said the family were still trying to cope with the shock news.

“Everything is a bit vague at the moment. David was coming home after being with friends when he was struck and killed by a lorry.

“At this stage we don’t know when his body will be coming home. Hopefully we will know more in the next three or four days.

“We’re all just so shocked and devastated. It’s been so sudden and we can’t believe what’s happened.

“The reality has not hit us yet and it probably won’t until we get his body home.

“He was so well known around Coleraine.

“He had so many friends and was just the loveliest person.”

‘Big Davy,’ as he was known locally had come home for Christmas to spend time with him mum Patsy, who is from Cranagh Road and his sisters Amanda and Angela and their families.

He had two children, Freya (15) and Oliver (21) and was a grandfather to little Max and an uncle to Christopher, Emma, Amy and Ben.

“We all spent Christmas Day with him, up at our house, which was lovely,” said Amanda. “So at least we have that day to remember him and we were all together.

“David was a colourful character, he had a great heart. He just loved to travel and it’s ironic that he lost his life in a foreign country and not his home.

“He will now be making his final journey home. They will fly him to London first, we think.”

The news of David’s shock death circulated on Facebook at the weekend with many of his friends and family posting touching tributes.