A Portadown man who was involved in a horrendous accident at an infamous ‘devil’s elbow’ bend near Castlewellan with his elderly mum has thanked all those who came to their aid, saying he has had his “faith in humanity restored”.
Burgeoning photographer, Gareth Cosgrove, and his mum – aged in her 70s – were travelling home on Sunday (April 27) when the incident occurred.
Thankfully, it was a single vehicle collision. The car, which his mum was driving, was brand new to her and an automatic electric vehicle.
Still, they don’t know exactly what happened but he described it as though the “car just lost control” as they descended the hill.
It all happened in slow motion and he can’t remember if the car rolled, but nonetheless they both ended up on their sides.
Describing that moment to Armagh I, he said: “I was locked in with my seat belt in but when I tried to take it off I fell on top of my mum.
“We were both stuck in the car and then people who were in their cars nearby came straight over to try and help.
“It happened so fast, the airbags came out and hit me in the face. I saw smoke, I thought the car was on fire and that’s why I was panicking.”
The passers-by then helped pull Gareth out through the passenger side window. His mum had to remain in the vehicle until police arrived, when they helped remove her from the car through the boot.
In attendance among those Good Samaritans first on the scene was a nurse, who helped check over Gareth’s shook-up mother while awaiting an ambulance.
Together, the pair were lucky to escape the incident relatively unscathed! Gareth had a “bad cut” to his wrist and some bruising – which is only coming up today – and his mum, slightly worse off, suffered a few broken ribs and bruising. But otherwise, they are very well.
Thanking all those who helped usher them to safety, Gareth said: “They stayed with me the whole time. They gave me a blanket out of their car and stayed with me until the paramedics came. Everyone had a part to play.
“It makes you feel good whenever you go through something like that and have that help.
“They were there within minutes and when me and mum were laying on our sides we thought we were done for… if a car had of been coming the other way it could have been a different story.”
Caught up in the adrenaline, Gareth and his mum didn’t manage to get contact numbers from those in attendance that day and they are both keen to pass on their sincerest thanks.
If you were on the scene of the incident and helped Gareth and his mum please contact info@armaghi.com to be put in touch. They would both be very happy to thank you in person!
Added Gareth: “My dad passed away a few years ago and I just wonder, was someone looking down on us that day. We are so lucky to be alive.”
