Inquest into toddler death to open on Monday

The inquest into the death of an Irish toddler in an horrific car crash in England which claimed the life of his unborn sister and left their parents fighting for their lives is due to open on Monday.

Plymouth coroner Ian Arrow will hear details of the cause of death of 16-month-old Oisín Twomey, who died along with his unborn sister, Elber Marie, after a car driven by Marek Wojiechowski, 26, ploughed into their family car while they were on holidays in Torquay on Jul 6.

Their parents, Connie and Elber Twomey, remain in a critical condition in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

The brief hearing will be adjourned, pending the outcome of police investigations, and a death certificate will be issued.

This will pave the way for Oisín’s extended family to make arrangements for the repatriation of his body to Ireland for burial.

Meanwhile, a fund for the families of all the crash victims has been set up by the community in South Devon.

The Torre and Upton Community Partnership said they hope it will help support the relatives of the Twomey family, as well as Mr Wojciechowski’s widow and her two young daughters.

A partnership spokesman said that local people wanted to offer the families tangible support.

“Their lives have been totally ruined and it’s the least we can do to say how sorry we are,” he said.

“It’s just a gesture from the people of Torbay to show how much we want to help.

“We decided to start the fund to help the Twomey family, who are going to have a lot of expenses going backwards and forwards between Ireland and the hospital in Plymouth.

“Hopefully, there will be money left for them to create a fitting legacy.

“We are very sorry for this poor family, as is everybody in Torbay, and we wanted to do something to help and support them at this horrendous time.

“We are also aware the Polish driver has left two small children and they are also victims.”

Devon and Cornwall Police’s major crime investigation team is “conducting a thorough investigation” into the crash, a police spokesman said.

“We have appointed family liaison officers to the families.

“At this time all of our thoughts are with the families involved in this tragic incident and we hope that Connie and Elber will make a recovery.”

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is conducting a separate independent investigation because a police vehicle was close to the scene of the accident at the time.

An IPCC spokesman said last night that its probe could take several months because they would have to find and take statements from several witnesses, many of whom were holidaymakers in the area.