I TRIED TO GET MY WIFE'S PULSE BUT I COULDN'T
I tried to get my wife's pulse but I couldn't'
A TYRONE GAA Official last night spoke of his fear that his wife was killed in the explosion.
Kevin Skelton aged 44 spoke as he waited in Omagh Leisure Centre for news of his wife Philomena.
Mr Skelton was caught up in the blast with his daughters Tracey 15, Paula 19, and Shauna 13 said he feared the worst.
While his daughter Shauna lay in Altnagelvin Hospital with lacerations to her neck, he recalled the hours the day he never would forget.
Mr Skelton was in Mr G's Discount store while the rest of his family shopped in Kells for shoes for Shauna.
Blast
He said he was coming out of the store when the blast occurred "I didn't know were they where, we went in through was what was left of the window in Kells. My wife was lying on the floor with the clothes blown off her.
"I thought I saw her two gutties under the rubble I don't know. I tried to get her pulse, but I couldn't and then two policemen dragged me out.
"There is no list of her in any hospital."
Breaking down in tears, he added: "I'm not expecting very good news.' His forehead was cut and his finger nails were bloodied.
Mr Skelton said his daughter Tracey survived because she was speaking to her friend at the back of the store, but it was some time before he knew the fate of his other children. The 44 year old and his wife, aged 39, were looking forward to celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary at the end of the month.
A TYRONE GAA Official last night spoke of his fear that his wife was killed in the explosion.
Kevin Skelton aged 44 spoke as he waited in Omagh Leisure Centre for news of his wife Philomena.
Mr Skelton was caught up in the blast with his daughters Tracey 15, Paula 19, and Shauna 13 said he feared the worst.
While his daughter Shauna lay in Altnagelvin Hospital with lacerations to her neck, he recalled the hours the day he never would forget.
Mr Skelton was in Mr G's Discount store while the rest of his family shopped in Kells for shoes for Shauna.
Blast
He said he was coming out of the store when the blast occurred "I didn't know were they where, we went in through was what was left of the window in Kells. My wife was lying on the floor with the clothes blown off her.
"I thought I saw her two gutties under the rubble I don't know. I tried to get her pulse, but I couldn't and then two policemen dragged me out.
"There is no list of her in any hospital."
Breaking down in tears, he added: "I'm not expecting very good news.' His forehead was cut and his finger nails were bloodied.
Mr Skelton said his daughter Tracey survived because she was speaking to her friend at the back of the store, but it was some time before he knew the fate of his other children. The 44 year old and his wife, aged 39, were looking forward to celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary at the end of the month.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/003
Published Date: 16-Aug-98
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