A LIMERICK mum and toddler have been tragically killed following a car crash in Poland.
Yvonne Long (30) originally from Curraghchase, Kilcornan, Co Limerick was travelling to Krakow airport with her Danish husband, Soren Buchtrup and their two children when the tragedy occurred.
The mother along with her daughter Ella, who would have been three in August, both died on impact when it is understood that their car was parked when another vehicle ploughed into them at high speed and most of the impact was to the passenger side of the vehicle.
Mr Buchtrup who was driving, and the couple’s other child a seventh month old baby boy Noah, were treated for injuries but survived the crash.
The family who live in Bergen in Norway had travelled to Slovakia for a friend’s wedding and were travelling to Krakow airport when the accident happened at 3pm on Wednesday.
Yvonne was the youngest daughter of John Long a well known figure in horse racing circles and his wife Angela.
Her uncle Ronnie Long is a leading figure in Irish athletics.
Yvonne married her Danish husband who works as North Sea helicopter pilot, four years ago in Ireland.
The 30-year-old worked as an interior designer and went to University in Edinburgh, after studying in Dun Laoighre and Villiers Secondary School in Limerick.
“Yvonne was a fantastic girl, beautiful looking and had a real sparkle. She was very bright and extremely artistic,” said a family friend.
“The family are shattered. Her poor mother is in an awful state. They were extremely close.”
Yvonne is survived by her older sister who is studying to become a pilot in Canada and two younger brothers Gary and Ian, who live in Ireland.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the family was being offered consular assistance.
