Girl, 5, killed in petrol station explosion was found wrapped in her dad's arms
12.10.2022 - 10:53
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The youngest victim of the petrol station explosion in Northern Ireland was found in her dad's arms, her uncle revealed.
Shauna Flanagan Garwe, five, and her dad Robert Garwe, 50, both died in the blast after they had gone to get mum Aine a birthday cake. Killian Flanagan, Shauna's uncle, said that his sister Aine has been “incredibly strong” in the wake of losing her partner and only child, who had just started primary school a few weeks ago, Belfast Live reports.
He said she was taking comfort from the outpouring of unity and support shown by the small local community, with less than 400 residents in the tiny village popular with tourists. He also hoped that the fact that doting Shauna was found in her dad's arms when their bodies were recovered from the tragic scene would help to soothe the heartbreak.
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Mr Flanagan said: “The other bit of comfort she’ll take I hope is that the emergency workers told her that Shauna and Robert were found with Robert’s arms around Shauna. She was wrapped in her daddy’s care and her daddy’s embrace. And please god, that still remains and he’s keeping her safe wherever they are.”
Asked how mum Aine was doing, Killian told ITV News: “She’s lost her only child and partner. This is devastating.
"But as I said, she’s so strong. A lesser person wouldn’t be able to do what she’s doing at the moment. She knows that Shauna is in her daddy’s arms.
"Shauna started school a few weeks ago, five years of age, the most charming and beautiful girl. You can picture the most mischievous, most lovable five-year-old, think of that and multiply it by two - that was Shauna.”
Shauna loved spending time with