Tributes have poured in for an Irish couple who were two of three fatalities in a horrific car crash in Spain.
Michaela Newcombe, her boyfriend Mark McCullagh-Crichton, and Mark’s sister-in-law Amy McCullagh were all tragically killed in the crash earlier this week, near Malaga, Spain.
Mark’s brother, Ian, was driving the car at the time of the collision. He was seriously injured in the crash, which claimed the lives of his wife, his brother, and Michaela.
The four victims, all from Mullingar in Co Westmeath, were on holiday near the popular resort of Malaga at the end of last week.
Tributes have poured in for both Mark and his girlfriend, Michaela, with both of their death notices reading that they were killed in the tragic road accident.
Mark is predeceased by his grandparents, Maureen and Kevin McCullagh, and Albert and Kathleen Crichton. Michaela’s death notice reads that she is ‘forever cherished and missed by her grief-stricken nanny Francie and grandad Eddie.’
‘Mark will be deeply missed by his heartbroken parents Paula and Albert, his dear brothers Ian, Enda, Kevin, John and Bertie, his sisters Chloe and Jennifer (Jenny), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandniece, grandnephew, extended family and his many friends,’ Mark’s death notice reads.
Tributes poured in for Mark following the tragedy, with one writing that he was ‘an absolute gentleman of a man and never caused anybody problems. [I’ll] always remember the chats we had. Fly high.’
‘RIP Mark, an absolute gentleman,’ another wrote, while another added: ‘Very sorry for your loss to all the McCullagh and Crichton family, may Mark rest in eternal peace.’
Tributes were also paid for Michaela following the tragedy, with Presentation Senior School in Mullingar writing: ‘We have very fond memories of Michaela while she was here; a very happy, bright and beautiful pupil who was always in a good mood. Suaimhneas sioraí dá hanam.’
‘You are so so missed, Michaela. My thoughts are with all your family and friends and your Havana Sun family. Those girls adored you as did everyone who met you,’ another wrote, while another added that she was ‘such a lovely Lady with that lovely smile on her gorgeous face taken so soon, along with her boyfriend Mark who was a lovely chap.’
A spokesman for Andalucia’s regional emergency co-ordination centre said the incident happened after ‘two vehicles collided, and one of them plunged down an embankment near the road while travelling towards Almeria at kilometre 979, at the Cerrado de Calderon turn‑off.
‘Civil Guard officers were mobilised, along with firefighters who freed those trapped, local police and emergency medical personnel from the Andalusian Health Service.
‘The 061 Emergency Health Centre confirmed the deaths of two women and one man. They treated a 64‑year‑old woman at the scene and transported a 35‑year‑old injured man to Carlos Haya Hospital.’
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, Minister of State Robert Troy, who is from the Westmeath parish where one of the families resides, expressed his deep condolences.
‘I know one of the families quite well. I spoke to them yesterday, and needless to say, they’re absolutely devastated. It’s the worst of phone calls to get,’ Minister Troy said on air.
‘They only went on holiday at the end of last week, and to get this call yesterday evening was heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with that family, indeed all families that are affected.’
