Mother campaigns for ‘hidden victims’ of crashes

A GRIEF-STRICKEN mother yesterday said there are thousands of “hidden victims” of road smashes as she made the long, difficult walk to the site of her daughter’s death.

Ursula Quinn, who lost her 19-year-old daughter Shauna in a crash in 2002, set off last Thursday on a 240km fundraising walk from Lurgan, Co Armagh, to Ballybrittas, Co Laois, pleading with people to drive safely.

Mrs Quinn, who is raising funds for bereavement counselling on the nine-day walk, has called upon the Government to support the vital services for the hundreds of families who lose a loved one each year.

“I reckon every one death affects at least 10 people,” she said.

“This whole campaign has been about raising awareness of the hidden victims of road deaths and letting people know there are people out there suffering every single day because of dangerous driving, drink-driving and speed. Just slow down.”

Safety chiefs believe around 1,920 people received serious injuries in crashes this year, as it is estimated around eight times the number killed are maimed.

Mrs Quinn’s 19-year-old daughter Shauna died in a crash on September 21, 2002, at Ballybrittas in Co Laois. Mrs Quinn, who was bearing blisters on her heels from the tough walk, said her campaign would be worthwhile if even one life was saved.

“We are coming up to a Bank Holiday weekend, it is notoriously bad, our record this year is not good and I am just asking all drivers to just take care of themselves, their passengers and have a wee bit of thought for the other drivers,” she said.

The mother said it was better to arrive alive than to never to arrive at all.

“I know I will never go five minutes without thinking about Shauna,” she said fighting back tears.

* More information at www.drivingkills.com. Donations to Hidden Victims can be made at Bank of Ireland, account: 44270440, sort code: 90-23-11.