A beauty salon where Michaela Newcombe worked as a receptionist has paid a heartbreaking tribute following the tragic deaths of Michaela, her partner Mark McCullagh, and his sister-in-law Amy McCullagh in a devastating car crash in Spain. The three victims, all from Mullingar in County Westmeath, died when their vehicle plummeted 100 feet into a ravine off the A7 motorway near Malaga in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Amy's husband Ian, who is Mark's older brother, remains in critical condition at Carlos Haya Hospital in Malaga. The two couples had travelled to the Spanish resort on holiday at the end of last week, according to the Irish Mirror.
Salon's Tribute to Michaela
In a deeply moving tribute, Havana Sun salon in Mullingar, where Michaela worked as a receptionist, wrote: "We clung to the hope that the terrible news wasn't true." Staff revealed they had desperately hoped there had been some mistake following news of the fatal crash, but were left utterly devastated when the deaths were confirmed.
"It's time to write the words we never wanted to write," the tribute began. "Since yesterday, we hoped there had been a mistake. We clung to the hope that the terrible news wasn't true. But today, with broken hearts, we say goodbye to our beautiful Michaela."
Remembering Michaela's Kindness
Referring to Michaela as "the face and the heart of our salon," her colleagues described her as the first person to make everyone feel welcome, remembering her fondly as "the kindest, friendliest soul." They recalled her vibrant personality, writing that she was "always late, but somehow always arriving with the perfect hairstyle and a bag of wedges."
The heartfelt tribute continued: "You never made a fuss about yourself. You'd be shocked to see how many hearts you've broken by leaving us, how many people miss you, and just how many people love you. I only wish you knew how special you were to so many of us."
Impact on the Salon Community
Staff expressed that the salon would never be the same in the wake of her passing. "Our salon will never be the same, and we won't even try to pretend it will be. You loved this place, and this place loved you right back. It will always hold your laughter, your kindness, and your spirit. From now on, it won't just be our salon. It will always be a place that carries your memory."
The tribute concluded: "Forever beautiful. Forever young. Forever loved. On behalf of your work family. On behalf of the clients. On behalf of the whole town of Mullingar, with deep sadness, rest in peace our Michaela."
Condolences to All Families
The salon also offered its condolences to the families of all three victims, stating: "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Michaela, Mark and Amy. Our hearts are with you during this unimaginable time."
Community Grief and Support
The tragic deaths have sparked an overwhelming wave of grief across their home communities. Fr Norman Allread, a priest in the parish of Mullingar, said the entire community is rallying together to offer comfort, with prayers being offered and candles being lit in tribute. "It's on everybody's lips. Father, do you know what happened? Do you know what's going on? Information has opened out and now we know who we are praying for and why," Fr Allread told Midlands Radio.
"The hospital called me to lead a prayer service because Amy's family are closely connected. It's in everybody's heart and we are holding Ian very close because his recovery will be difficult and probably long," he added.
