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Father and two children who died after car skidded into lake named by police

The wreckage of the car in which three people lost their lives in. (PA)
The wreckage of the car in which three people lost their lives in. (PA)

A father and his two children who died after their car careered down an embankment and into a lake during a storm have been named by police.

Police in Ireland said the vehicle was travelling from Muff to Quigley’s Point in County Donegal when it skidded on the road and slipped down an embankment at Lough Foyle.

The 49-year-old man, John Mullan, was driving at the time of the accident and died in the vehicle. His children Thomas, 14, and Amelia, six, managed to escape but were pronounced dead after.

Their mother Geraldine Mullan, 45, was also in the car. She survived the crash and raised the alarm.

The family were returning from a day out when they lost control of their vehicle.

The bodies of the man and two children were recovered from the water and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital mortuary where post-mortems will be held.

Emergency services attend to the wreckage of the car. (PA Images)
Emergency services attend to the wreckage of the car. (PA Images)

Garda Superintendent Eugene McGovern of Buncrana Garda station was at the scene and was quoted in The Journal as saying conditions were poor and the night was wet and windy.

He also revealed how the stretch of road had recently been resurfaced. Investigators will examine if this may have contributed to the tragedy.

McGovern said: “We knew fairly early on that we were dealing with a family situation here and it was very difficult.

“We still don’t know what caused Mr Mullan to veer off the road but we will carry out a full investigation into all the circumstances.”

Emergency services at the scene. (PA Images)
Emergency services at the scene. (PA Images)

He added: “It is just difficult to find words for the families involved.

“This is an awful tragedy for the immediate families but also for the wider community as the family are well known and respected in the locality.”

Gardai are appealing for anyone who travelled on the road between 10pm and 10.30pm to come forward.

They want to hear from anyone who may have seen a Black Mitsubishi ASX registration number, 11 DL 1566, in the area at the time.