The family of three sisters seriously injured in a horror wrong-way motorway crash have thanked the public after a fundraiser soared to more than £650,000.
Ella Hendricken, Niamh Kinsella and Alma Kinsella, who are aged in their 20s and 30s, were travelling with a young boy when another car smashed head-on into their vehicle on the M9 in Co Kildare last weekend.
All four were seriously injured, while five teenagers in the other car, which had been travelling the wrong way down the motorway, all died in the horror crash. A GoFundMe page was launched by a friend of one of the sisters, who said the family now faced a “long and challenging road ahead”, raising around €770,000 (£659,000).
The post reads: “Hi my name is Bryan and I’m setting up this fundraiser for my best friend Ella and her sisters, Niamh and Alma, who were recently involved in a serious road traffic accident.
“This has been an incredibly difficult and frightening time for Ella, Niamh, Alma and their family. They are facing a long and challenging road ahead, and right now, I ask that you keep them all in your thoughts & prayers. All funds going directly to the family”.
The funerals of Joe Carthy, Jack Kennedy, Alex McCarthy, Jeremy O’Brien and Kamil Pustkowski have taken place in recent days.
In an emotional statement posted on the fundraising page, the sisters’ family said: “We wanted to take a moment as a family to say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who has supported Ella, Niamh and Alma.
“The kindness and generosity shown to our family has been truly overwhelming.
“From everyone who has donated, shared the fundraiser, sent messages, kept us in their thoughts or supported us in any way, please know how much it means to all of us. Right now, our focus is completely on the girls and being together as a family.
“We aren’t ready to share any further details at this stage and we really appreciate everyone continuing to respect our privacy.Seeing so many people come together for the girls has meant more to us than we could ever properly put into words.
“Thank you for continuing to keep Ella, Niamh and Alma in your thoughts, and for all the love and support you’ve shown our family. With love and gratitude, Clare and family.”