Ballycastle tragedy: Family release details of funeral for Clare and Bethany Smyth

Clare Smyth, 35, and her two daughters, five-year-old Hannah and three-year-old Bethany, were travelling on a quad bike which was in a collision with a tractor on Tuesday on the Whitepark Road.

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.

The Smyth family have expressed their wish to keep their home ‘strictly private in accordance with ‘government guidelines’ after the tragedy.

They added that family and friends wishing to pay their respects at the funeral do so on Sunday morning at 11.00am outside Ballycastle Presbyterian Church, however they added: “please adhere to social distancing regulations”.

The family also asked that donations in lieu of flowers be made to HM Coastguard Prestwick or the Royal Hospital for Sick Children c/o Mrs Mona Murdock, 31 Bushmills Road, Coleraine.

Supporters of surviving daughter, little Hannah, have been bouyed by initial reports of her progress after the accident.

After visiting Hannah and father Ryan at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, the family’s minister Rev John Stanbridge said on Thursday that while these are “very early days, Hannah is making small but significant steps in the right direction”.

The family have been “astounded by the love and support that they have received from so many different quarters” he said. They were also “painfully aware that it is not only their family who have been affected by this tragic and freak accident” and they “have asked that people pray for everyone involved”.   

Family friend and local UUP councillor Joan Baird said last night that Hannah’s progress had been “really good news”.

And her thoughts were echoed by countless people who left messages on the News Letter Facebook site.

Nuala Atwell said: “God Bless Hannah, her dad and the rest of the family, also the tractor driver. Praying for you all at this terrible time. May God Bless you all...”.

Kathleen O’Hare added: “God help the poor Father and little Hannah. I hope she makes a full recovery.”

Hazel Nicoletti, echoing the thoughts of many across NI, confirmed that she was praying for the family. “God bless them all and so glad that wee Hannah is recovering well xx,” she said.

And Mary Loughridge sent her “love and prayers all the way from Australia” adding: “Hope Hannah continues to improve.” 

* An eleven-year-old girl died in a farm accident in the Malin area of Donegal on Tuesday. RTÉ reported the girl was killed when she was struck by a tractor on the family farm.

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