Toddler’s body due to be repatriated for burial

An inquest into the death of Oisín Twomey opened and adjourned yesterday, paving the way for the family to make arrangements for the repatriation of his body to Ireland for burial.

The 16-month-old was killed when taxi driver Marek Wojciechowski crashed into the car he was travelling in with his parents in Torquay on Jul 6.

Con, 39, pregnant wife Elber, 36, from Meelin in North Cork, and Oisín were on their way to a ferry after a holiday in Devon.

It is believed police were on the lookout for Mr Wojciechowski after friends found a suicide note.

Officers watched in horror as his car swerved into oncoming traffic and struck the Twomeys’ car.

Oisín died at the scene, while his unborn sister Elber Marie, died a few hours later. Con and Elber remain in a critical condition with severe head injuries.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating whether an officer was in pursuit of the taxi before it struck the Twomeys’ car. It said the probe could take several months because police had to find several witnesses, many of whom were holidaymakers in the area.

The inquest into the death of Mr Wojciechowski, of Torquay, was also adjourned yesterday.

Speaking after the adjournment of the inquest, Det Insp Costa Nassaris said a full investigation would be carried out.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation into this incident in order to determine the cause of the collision. 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.”

Meanwhile, a fund has been set up by the community in South Devon to help support the Twomey family, as well as Mr Wojciechowski’s widow and her two young daughters.