Tragedy for Dungiven family
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Robert Canning, who died in a motorcycle accident on Sunday, July 13.
The sister of a 44-year-old Dungiven man killed in a motor bike accident has described her brother as 'a real character'.
Father of three, Robert Canning of Magheramore Road, Dungiven, died after his motorbike collided with a caravan on the Priestlands Road near Bushmills on Sunday (July 13). This is the second such tragedy for the family as Mr Canning's nephew, Darren Murphy, died in a motor bike accident 11 years ago, aged only 19.
Mr Canning's sister, Violet Morrow, said her brother's death came as a terrible shock to the whole family
She said: "Robert had an accident about ten years ago, but he was a very safe driver. He loved the bikes and he knew the risks, but you never really think something like this could happen in your own family.
“Robert was the youngest of nine, I am the eldest, and we shared the same birthday. We are a very close family, we all live in the Limavady district, it's a such a loss for us all."
Mr Canning has three children, Stephanie aged 18, and two boys, Stuart and Adam, aged 15 and 12.
Mrs Morrow continued: "It's very difficult for his three children, but they are trying to support their mum Rosemary, who is being strong for them as well.
“My father passed away 20 years ago and Robert's death will be especially tough for my mother, she is very resilient but no-one ever expects to bury a child. He might have been 44, but he was still the wain in our house."
Mrs Morrow said her brother was a great communicator: "He could chat to children, teenagers, adults and older folk, he was a real character, people used to always say that he was a real tonic.
“He was so full of life and he always took the time to talk to people."
The family have had a lot of support from friends and neighbours.
“We have lived in this community for such a long time, and it is very close knit," said Mrs Morrow.
“We've had so much support from friends and neighbours and it really helps, even someone just being there, they don't even need to say much.
“My sister's son, Darren Murphy, died 11 years ago in a motor bike accident, he was only 19-years old, this must bring it all back to her. It's hard to believe we're facing another tragedy.
“I know a 19-year-old died on the roads in Tyrone at the weekend as well, and we feel a deep sympathy for them. When you hear things like that you feel sorry for the family, but when you have faced a similar tragedy, then you feel much more deeply for them as you really understand their loss."
