Only survivor of crash that killed 5 friends carried to safety by ‘angel’ passerby seconds before explosion

A heroic bystander pulled the only survivor of a car crash that killed five of his friends to safety seconds before their car exploded.

The victims were named as Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland.

The group were travelling together on their way to Dundalk for a night out on Saturday.

A sixth person who was in the car, also in his 20s, is receiving medical treatment to back injuries.

He lifted the man from the back seat of the car and placed him on the ground, and was going back to rescue the rest when the car exploded.

One member of the emergency services told the Irish Sun: ‘He was an angel who saved this young man. Sadly he did not have time to rescue the rest of them.

‘The survivor is seriously injured and has a back injury which thankfully is not life-threatening.’

It is understood Chloe and Alan had only recently returned from a holiday in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

Garda at the scene where three men and two women have died following a car crash (Picture: Damien Eagers/PA Wire)
Sinn Fein councillor Michael Gallagher, said Chloe and Alan were a couple.

He told Morning Ireland: ‘It does add to the tragedy and Chloe was also well known of the community.’

Speaking to BBC’s Radio Ulster, principal Padraig McGovern said Chloe was ‘looking forward to the weekend’ before tragedy struck.

Heartbroken relatives of Chloe Hipson said she was ‘such an angel’
Principal McGovern said: ‘I was speaking with Chloe on Friday. She was full of fun and she was full of achievement and success and looking forward to the weekend. Within 24 hours that changed, changed drastically.’

‘She loved to help her students, loved to go the extra mile, was very good at her subject, and was also the sort of girl that was involved in everything. Anything that we were looking at to develop, she was there and willing to take part. To think we’re going into school today and she won’t be there is an incredible shock.’

Chloe’s brother Stephen wrote on Facebook: ‘Never in a million years did I ever think I’d have to share something like this. Life is cruel.

‘You were one in a million and had your whole life infront of you, myself dad, mam aaron and nicola couldn’t have asked for a better sister. No words can describe how devastated we are right now.

‘We hope you and Alan got the best beds in heaven, until we meet again my little angel, look after us.’

They were heading to meet other friends in Dundalk when their VW Golf crashed into a Toyota Land Cruiser just after 9pm in the village of Gibstown.

The people in the Toyota, a man and a woman, are also in hospital for treatment.

Supt Charlie Armstrong said, near the scene: ‘I want to express my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Siochana to the families of the five young adults who lost their lives yesterday evening in this road traffic collision.

‘I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Siochana and the other emergency services who attended the scene last night.

‘The scene was very difficult, in adverse weather conditions, and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the five deceased was exemplary.

‘This tragedy, with the loss of five young adults, will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and in Scotland.

Superintendent Charlie Armstrong speaking to the media near the car crash scene (Picture: Eagers/PA Wire)
Supt Liam Geraghty pointed out how they were speaking on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.