A close-knit family has been left devastated after a mother died in a car crash while on her way to identify her son's body. Carol Tinsley, 70, from West Derby, was travelling with her son's ex-partner and three grandchildren to Wrexham Maelor Hospital when the collision happened in Chester.
Double tragedy within hours
Andrew Tinsley, 46, had died earlier in what relatives described as a tragic accident in the River Dee in Llangollen on July 10. His mother Carol set off to identify his body but just 30 minutes from the hospital, their car collided with another vehicle, killing her instantly.
Carol's granddaughter Lisa, 42, was on the phone with one of her cousins when the crash occurred at 11.30pm on Parkgate Road at the junction with Welsh Road. She said: "I don't know what happened. All I know is she got in the car and set off, and the next thing we hear is there's been a tragic car accident."
Phone call captured the crash
Lisa described the moment the crash happened: "I was on the phone to one of the kids, who was sitting in the back seat as the crash happened. It was just a scream and a rumble and crashing." The phone cut off, and after repeated attempts, they reached her cousin in an ambulance. Lisa said: "It was unreal. It was like living in a movie. It was so shocking. I don't think our lives are ever going to be the same again. Within six hours, our family has been ripped apart."
Details of the incidents
North Wales Police received a call about a bridge on Castle Street, Llangollen, at 8.16pm on July 10. After searches of the River Dee, Andrew was found and taken to hospital in Wrexham, where he died. Lisa said they are still waiting for information but believe he may have suffered cold water shock to the heart.
At 11.33pm the same evening, Cheshire Police responded to a collision between a grey Cupra Born and a black Kia Sportage on Parkgate Road in Chester. Carol, a passenger in the Kia, was declared dead at the scene. The driver and two other passengers were seriously injured, and a fourth passenger suffered minor injuries. The Cupra driver was unharmed. No arrests have been made, and investigations continue.
Family's tribute and funeral appeal
Lisa described Carol as "very outgoing, very social" and "a people person" who loved the Royal Family and sitcoms. Andrew was "very athletic, very sporty, very outgoing, and an amazing person." An online appeal launched by Lisa's daughter Derrie aims to raise £8,000 for a joint funeral service for Carol and Andrew. Derrie said: "This has broken our family as my three cousins lived with our nan from very young, she was their guardian and now they lost our nan and their dad in the same day."
