Tourist crushed to death at UK beauty spot on 'long-awaited' trip of a lifetime
American tourist Allison Eichner, from Connecticut, was killed in a crash near the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland - her friend has paid a moving tribute to her
An American tourist involved in a fatal crash near the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland was on a "long-awaited" holiday that "ended too soon".
Members of the emergency services were rushed to the scene of the collision near a hotel in Bushmills in Co Antrim after lunchtime on June 11 where Connecticut woman Allison Eichner was struck by a car. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed the woman passed away in hospital due to her injuries.
A GoFundMe page set up by friends to support Allison's family paid tribute to the mum of two, describing her as a "beautiful person". The post detailed how she was on the trip of a lifetime, visiting the island of to explore her heritage.
"With heavy hearts, we share the sudden and heartbreaking loss of our dear friend, Allison Eichner," it read. "Allison was truly a beautiful person — inside and out — with a kindness and generosity that radiated through everything she did. She had a gift for making everyone around her feel seen, loved, and truly cared for.
US tourist 'hit accelerator rather than brake in fatal crash' near Giant's Causeway
"Just days ago, Allison was on a long-awaited, special trip to Ireland to explore her heritage. What was meant to be a time of joy and exploration ended far too soon in an unimaginable tragedy.
"Allison was a devoted wife to Dan and an amazing mom to their two beautiful boys, Sean and Joey. Her love for her family was limitless, and her greatest joy was being their rock, their safe place, and their biggest cheerleader."
The tribute continued: "To those who knew her well, Allison's quiet sense of humour often caught you off guard — sweet on the surface, with an unexpectedly sharp and hilarious wit, and a wonderfully dirty sense of humour that always made you laugh when you least expected it. She was the person who gave endlessly, never asking for anything in return. Whether it was her time, her love, or just a listening ear over a cup of tea (with gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, of course), Allison was always there.
"As we process this devastating loss, many have asked how they can help. This GoFundMe has been created to support Dan, Sean, and Joey — to help with funeral expenses, immediate needs, and to provide some peace of mind as they begin to find their way forward." So far, the fundraiser has earned more than $57,000.
Another US resident has been charged over the incident. Cathy Stewart, 67, appeared at Coleraine Magistrates' court on Friday, June 13 charged with causing death by careless driving. A police officer told the court the collision, involving a grey Ford Transit vehicle, happened at the front of the Causeway Hotel in Bushmills at around 12.15pm on Wednesday.
The officer said a pedestrian who was sitting on a bench was hit during the crash. The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and Ambulance Service personnel rushed to the scene of the collision. The pedestrian was taken to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine but sadly died of her injuries.
In court, the police officer said footage obtained from the hotel showed the vehicle being "parked in a disabled parking bay" before passengers departed, Belfast Live reports. The court heard that the footage shows the vehicle "move forward slowly" before it "suddenly bolts forward".
The deceased's brother, who was also sitting on the bench, managed to "jump out of the way" of the moving car, the court heard. The officer said Ms Stewart, who was cautioned at the scene, "gave an account consistent with the CCTV."
The driver told police she had "tried to apply the foot brake and hit the accelerator" and she "appeared remorseful" during interview, the officer said. The defendant said she had "never driven an electric or hybrid vehicle before" and had mistakenly believed the vehicle was "off".
The court was told the defendant said she had got back in to the car and was "feeling for the brake to stop the vehicle". A defence solicitor described the collision as a "tragic, tragic case" where a "simple error" has had "catastrophic consequences."
The solicitor read a portion of the defendant's interview with police, where Stewart had described herself as "just devastated". The solicitor told the court the defendant had said she "can't get that family out of my head" and that her "only thoughts are with that family".
The court heard the defendant had worked for decades as a special needs teacher, had no criminal record, and had never been involved in an at-fault collision before.
Bail was granted with a £5,000 cash surety with the judge describing it as "entirely disproportionate" to keep the defendant in custody or away from her home in the United States during what he said is expected to be a lengthy judicial process.
The case was listed again for July 1.
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