A grandmother was killed in a car crash on July 10 in Chester, England, while on her way to identify her son's body, just six hours after he died in a separate incident. The family described the events as an "unreal" double tragedy that has left them "ripped apart."
Carol Tinsley, 70, a mother of six and grandmother of six, died at the scene of the collision in Chester. The crash occurred approximately 30 minutes before she was scheduled to reach the hospital in Wrexham, where her son, Andrew Tinsley, 46, was being held. Andrew Tinsley had died earlier that day in Llangollen, North Wales, following what his family suspects was cold water shock after jumping from a bridge into a river.
Carol Tinsley was traveling to the hospital with Andrew's ex-partner and his three children, aged 17, 20, and 21, when their vehicle collided with another car. Emergency services pronounced Carol Tinsley dead at the scene. Three other individuals were injured in the crash, while the driver of the other vehicle sustained no injuries. Cheshire Constabulary is investigating the collision.
Lisa, Carol's granddaughter and Andrew's niece, recounted the moment of the crash, stating she was on the phone with one of the passengers. "It was just a scream and a rumble and crashing," she told the Liverpool Echo. "It was unreal. It was like living in a movie. It was so shocking. I don’t think our lives are ever going to be the same again. Within six hours our family has been ripped apart."
Lisa also paid tribute to her grandmother, whom she described as "so witty and irreplaceable." She spoke of her uncle Andrew as a "strong character," comparing him to a brother due to their close ages. She remembered him as "very athletic, very sporty, very outgoing, and he was an amazing person."
An investigation into Andrew Tinsley's death is ongoing, with the family suspecting cold water shock as the cause. Andrew, a father of three, was known for his athleticism and outgoing personality.