A relative of a biker killed in a motorway crash saw sick videos of the aftermath – and didn’t realise he was one of the victims.
The woman confirmed the family circle of Englishman Paul Ingram only learned of his death in the crash after videos spread on social media. She said last night: “I sadly saw the videos before I realised it was Paul.”
She was horrified by the distressing images of the aftermath of the crash last Friday in which Mr Ingram, 59, and his 63-year-old pal Brian McFarlane were killed. It was only later she was informed her relative was one of the victims.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said: “I was sickened and sad and prayed for the poor families that this happened to, then I realised on Saturday morning that it was my family.”
Mr Ingram, a widower from Moulton in Northampton and Mr McFarlane with an address in the Oxford village of Sutton Courtenay, were killed outright. The pair were involved in a freak accident as they rode along the M50 on the outskirts of Dublin last Friday afternoon.
Both men were on Harley Davison motorbikes when they accidentally collided with each other – and fell on to the carriageway. Then, as they lay helpless on the road, a truck that was travelling behind the pair had no chance to avoid the friends and slammed into them.
Both men suffered horrendous injuries and were killed instantly.
It is believed gardai had to use DNA technology to formally identify them.
But within minutes of the crash on the northbound carriageway at 2.15pm, videos appeared online showing gruesome scenes of the accident.
Investigating gardai appealed for people not to share the clips. And the relative of Mr Ingram, whose wife Lesley died around five years ago, last night said the family was horrified by the videos.
She said the only consolation was that lifelong biker Mr Ingram died doing what he loved.
She said: “Paul was a passionate bike rider. He was a rider all of his life. The only comfort the family will ever have is knowing he sadly passed doing what he loved.”
Gardai are still investigating the incident, which caused massive tailbacks on the busy motorway for several hours. Sources stressed neither the victims nor the driver of the lorry involved are suspected of any wrongdoing.
One source said: “The two men on the motorbikes were on holiday from England. It looks like they were riding along and they bumped into each other.
“It was an accident and there is no suggestion that they were speeding. But when two motorcyclists even tip off each other at 100kph, the results are devastating.
“They both fell off their bikes on to the carriageway and were hit by a truck. The driver could do nothing to avoid them. It is a terrible tragedy.”
Witnesses should call Lucan Garda Station on 01 6667300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
