HOLIDAY JOB STUDENT DIED ON WAY TO HOSPITAL
Holiday job student died on way to hospital
A YOUNG university student probably died on her way to hospital from multiple injuries she sustained in the blast.
The death of 21-year-old Julia Hughes would have been rapid, the pathologist's report showed.
Miss Hughes, from Derry Road, Omagh, was a student at Dundee University, but had a summer job in the town centre during her summer holidays.
In evidence to the inquest on Thursday last, Mr. Dominic Pinto, consultant surgeon, said he viewed Miss Hughes's body after it was brought to Tyrone County Hospital sometime between 3.30pm and 4pm. He said that he confirmed the 21-year-old's death by examining her pupils for reaction and by making sure she was not breathing.
The inquest also heard from Mr. Glen Porter, proprietor of Image Express, the photographic business where Miss Hughes had a summer job.
He said he opened the shop at 8.30am, and at 9am Miss Hughes arrived for work At about 2.45pm he said he heard a police siren and he saw people leaving their shops and walking towards Market Street.
Mr. Porter said he was told there was a bomb scare and he told Julia to leave the shop and go down to Market Street. He added that he then closed the shop shutters and locked the shop before walking to Market Street.
He met up with Julia and they walked away from SuperValu. He then entered another shop, known as Magic Moments, and afterwards walked to the Cozy Corner where he and Julia stood talking to a friend. They had been speaking for about five minutes when the bomb exploded.
Mr. Porter, who was injured in the blast, said everyone thought it had been a bomb scare and not an actual bomb. It was a nice afternoon and there was a big crowd around, he added.
He said Julia felt she had to stay with him to help if they were allowed back into the shop.
Mr. Porter said he also wanted to add that while walking down the town he heard a policeman using a PA or tannoy system on a patrol car to speak to the crowd. The policeman was telling everyone to move down Market Street to be extra safe.
Mrs. Sandra Blackwell said she met up with Miss Hughes and Mr. Porter at the Cozy Corner. She said there was an almighty bang and then everything went black.
Mrs. Blackwell said she was also injured in the bomb and was still recovering.
Sergeant Robert Wilson, said he assisted Mr. Alex Hughes to identify the body of his daughter.
In his report, the State Pathologist, Professor Jack Crane, confirmed that the cause of Miss Hughes' death was due to multiple injuries sustained in a bomb explosion.
He said the nature of the injuries would have cause her rapid, but not immediate death, and it was estimated that she died en route to hospital.
Mr. Oliver Loughran, solicitor, who appeared for the next of kin said the family wanted to express appreciation to all the emergency services who helped in such difficult circumstances.
The coroner, Mr. John Leckey, said all concerned wished to extend sympathy to Miss Hughes's family on the very deep tragedy they had suffered.
A YOUNG university student probably died on her way to hospital from multiple injuries she sustained in the blast.
The death of 21-year-old Julia Hughes would have been rapid, the pathologist's report showed.
Miss Hughes, from Derry Road, Omagh, was a student at Dundee University, but had a summer job in the town centre during her summer holidays.
In evidence to the inquest on Thursday last, Mr. Dominic Pinto, consultant surgeon, said he viewed Miss Hughes's body after it was brought to Tyrone County Hospital sometime between 3.30pm and 4pm. He said that he confirmed the 21-year-old's death by examining her pupils for reaction and by making sure she was not breathing.
The inquest also heard from Mr. Glen Porter, proprietor of Image Express, the photographic business where Miss Hughes had a summer job.
He said he opened the shop at 8.30am, and at 9am Miss Hughes arrived for work At about 2.45pm he said he heard a police siren and he saw people leaving their shops and walking towards Market Street.
Mr. Porter said he was told there was a bomb scare and he told Julia to leave the shop and go down to Market Street. He added that he then closed the shop shutters and locked the shop before walking to Market Street.
He met up with Julia and they walked away from SuperValu. He then entered another shop, known as Magic Moments, and afterwards walked to the Cozy Corner where he and Julia stood talking to a friend. They had been speaking for about five minutes when the bomb exploded.
Mr. Porter, who was injured in the blast, said everyone thought it had been a bomb scare and not an actual bomb. It was a nice afternoon and there was a big crowd around, he added.
He said Julia felt she had to stay with him to help if they were allowed back into the shop.
Mr. Porter said he also wanted to add that while walking down the town he heard a policeman using a PA or tannoy system on a patrol car to speak to the crowd. The policeman was telling everyone to move down Market Street to be extra safe.
Mrs. Sandra Blackwell said she met up with Miss Hughes and Mr. Porter at the Cozy Corner. She said there was an almighty bang and then everything went black.
Mrs. Blackwell said she was also injured in the bomb and was still recovering.
Sergeant Robert Wilson, said he assisted Mr. Alex Hughes to identify the body of his daughter.
In his report, the State Pathologist, Professor Jack Crane, confirmed that the cause of Miss Hughes' death was due to multiple injuries sustained in a bomb explosion.
He said the nature of the injuries would have cause her rapid, but not immediate death, and it was estimated that she died en route to hospital.
Mr. Oliver Loughran, solicitor, who appeared for the next of kin said the family wanted to express appreciation to all the emergency services who helped in such difficult circumstances.
The coroner, Mr. John Leckey, said all concerned wished to extend sympathy to Miss Hughes's family on the very deep tragedy they had suffered.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1545
Published Date: 21-Sep-00
Related Images
