A Co Tyrone mother expresses frustration over the lengthy wait for her son’s inquest following a tragic motorway accident.
Co Tyrone: A mother is waiting for an inquest into her son’s death. Darryl Thompson died in a crash on the M1 motorway nearly seven years ago. His mother, Edwina Thompson-Clarke, says the wait has affected her health.
There have been five preliminary hearings for the inquest. It will investigate the events leading to Darryl’s death. In November 2018, he was in a car when an argument broke out. The driver stopped, and Darryl was hit by another vehicle.
Edwina was told it would take three years for the legal process to finish. Now, almost seven years later, she still waits for a date for the inquest. She hopes it might start in March.
Edwina recalls that night vividly. She and her husband were watching TV when their daughter ran in, scared. Someone told her Darryl had been in an accident. They rushed to the motorway but couldn’t see anything.
After waiting for over two hours, police informed them that Darryl had died. Edwina described the moment as heartbreaking. She wanted to be with him and spent time with his body afterward.
She finds the delays frustrating and says they have harmed her mental and physical health. The inquest was supposed to happen in February but has been pushed back. Edwina wants thorough answers, not a rushed process.
Her anxiety has worsened, and she struggles with stress-related health issues. She now has fibromyalgia and has trouble sleeping. The grief feels heavy and constant.
Additionally, Edwina faces unexpected costs for the inquest. She applied for legal aid but was denied. Now, she’s fundraising to cover the fees, which could reach £10,000.
As she remembers Darryl, who would have turned 29 soon, she describes him as kind and friendly. He was always smiling and loved life. Edwina hopes to honor his memory through the inquest.
