FAMILY THANKS THOSE WHO HELPED THEM
Family thanks those who helped them
SUNDAY school teacher, Esther Gibson died almost instantly after suffering severe head injuries in the explosion, the coroner's court has heard.
Ms Gibson, who lived at Radergan Road, Beragh, worked as a dispatch clerk at Desmond's clothing factory. Her and fiance, Kenneth Hawkes had announced their engagement just over three months earlier and they had planned to marry on her birthday the following July.
The victim had been in town shopping on 15th August 1998 and had been evacuated with others following the bomb warning.
Members of her family comforted each other as they listened last Friday morning to details surrounding the death of the 36-year-old.
Detective Inspector Colin Milford of the RUC's Body Recovery and Identification Unit gave evidence of meeting with Elizabeth Gibson, sister of the deceased, who identified her body. Elizabeth Gibson told the court that her sister had left home that morning at 8.30am. She had returned for lunch and then had gone back into town in the afternoon.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Derek Carson told Coroner John Leckey that he attributed the cause of death to multiple injuries which were consistent with two large pieces of shrapnel having struck the deceased following the bomb explosion.
In his summary report, Dr Carson stated that Ms Gibson had been struck from behind by pieces of shrapnel. These had caused two major injuries, the most severe of which had been a large laceration to the back of the head.
Death had been very rapid and could have been instantaneous, he added.
The pathologist also reported that the victim had received serious injuries to her pelvis. Had it not been for the severity of the head wound, these injuries themselves could have been fatal, he added.
Autopsy photographs provided by Dr Carson were later made available to members of Ms Gibson's family.
Coroner John Leckey told the family that Ms Gibson would have known nothing about what had happened to her and he hoped this would be of some comfort to them.
The family's solicitor, Barry Fox expressed their appreciation for the help shown to them by members of the security forces and all other services.
SUNDAY school teacher, Esther Gibson died almost instantly after suffering severe head injuries in the explosion, the coroner's court has heard.
Ms Gibson, who lived at Radergan Road, Beragh, worked as a dispatch clerk at Desmond's clothing factory. Her and fiance, Kenneth Hawkes had announced their engagement just over three months earlier and they had planned to marry on her birthday the following July.
The victim had been in town shopping on 15th August 1998 and had been evacuated with others following the bomb warning.
Members of her family comforted each other as they listened last Friday morning to details surrounding the death of the 36-year-old.
Detective Inspector Colin Milford of the RUC's Body Recovery and Identification Unit gave evidence of meeting with Elizabeth Gibson, sister of the deceased, who identified her body. Elizabeth Gibson told the court that her sister had left home that morning at 8.30am. She had returned for lunch and then had gone back into town in the afternoon.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Derek Carson told Coroner John Leckey that he attributed the cause of death to multiple injuries which were consistent with two large pieces of shrapnel having struck the deceased following the bomb explosion.
In his summary report, Dr Carson stated that Ms Gibson had been struck from behind by pieces of shrapnel. These had caused two major injuries, the most severe of which had been a large laceration to the back of the head.
Death had been very rapid and could have been instantaneous, he added.
The pathologist also reported that the victim had received serious injuries to her pelvis. Had it not been for the severity of the head wound, these injuries themselves could have been fatal, he added.
Autopsy photographs provided by Dr Carson were later made available to members of Ms Gibson's family.
Coroner John Leckey told the family that Ms Gibson would have known nothing about what had happened to her and he hoped this would be of some comfort to them.
The family's solicitor, Barry Fox expressed their appreciation for the help shown to them by members of the security forces and all other services.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1458
Published Date: 21-Sep-00
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