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Pictured
FAMILY TORN APART

Young mum and daughter, 3, killed in quad bike crash as girl, 5, fights for life

A YOUNG mum and her three-year-old daughter killed in a horror quad bike crash have been pictured for the first time.

Clare Smyth and her daughter Bethany died following the smash near their family farm in County Antrim, Northern Ireland yesterday.

 Clare Smyth was pronounced dead at the scene along with daughter Bethany
Clare Smyth was pronounced dead at the scene along with daughter BethanyCredit: Facebook
 Tributes have been paid to three-year-old Bethany
Tributes have been paid to three-year-old BethanyCredit: Facebook

Mrs Smyth's oldest daughter Hannah, five, is fighting for her life after being airlifted to nearby Royal Victoria Hospital in a critical condition.

It is thought the mother was driving the quad bike, which collided with a tractor on the Causeway Coastal Route.

The crash is said to have happened at the entrance of their family farm on the edge of the town and Clare and Bethany were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The girls' devastated father Ryan is said to be with Hannah at her bedside.

Mr Smyth and his father Gregg are well known dairy farmers in the area.

Shocked friends have paid tribute to the pair on social media praying for Hannah's recovery and expressing their grief at the loss.

Janet Bonner said: "So so sad today. Lost a lovely friend and her beautiful daughter.

"Thoughts are with the family. Prayers for little Hannah fighting for her life tonight, her Daddy needs her back home."

 The fatal crash happened yesterday afternoon in Northern Ireland
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The fatal crash happened yesterday afternoon in Northern IrelandCredit: © Photopress Belfast © All moral and intellectual rights retained

Michelle Wilmont added: "Absolutely heartbreaking just can't stop thinking about that poor family just hope and pray Hannah makes a speedy recovery to get back to her Daddy."

North Antrim MLA Jim Allister said: "Reports tonight of a double family fatality in a traffic accident in the north of my constituency are distressing.

"While further details are awaited it is clear a local family has been plunged into deep mourning."

And Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this tragic accident, compounded at this time by the surreal times that we are living in with the coronavirus pandemic.

"In such a quiet area, the air was almost pierced by the sound of sirens and flashing blue lights of the emergency services, so the news soon rippled out that there had been a tragic accident."

A spokesperson for the NIAS said: "NIAS dispatched two Rapid Response Paramedics, three emergency crews, one doctor and two ambulance officers to the incident. The PSNI and Coastguard also assisted in the incident.

"Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was transported to Causeway Hospital initially before being transferred onwards to Belfast by Coastguard helicopter with a HEMS crew on board."

 A crash between a tractor and a quad bike left two people dead
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A crash between a tractor and a quad bike left two people deadCredit: BBC
 The tragic deaths closed the road yesterday afternoon
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The tragic deaths closed the road yesterday afternoonCredit: BBC