Dad Andrew Tinsley dies in bridge jump then his mum Carol killed in car crash on way to identify son’s body
A family has been torn apart after a father of three tragically died after jumping from a bridge; Her mother was also killed a few hours later while traveling to identify her body.
Andrew Tinsley, 46, died after jumping from a historic bridge in Llangollen, North Wales, on the afternoon of July 11.
Just hours later, distraught mother Carol Tinsley, 70, jumped in a car with her three grandchildren for the 50-mile journey to Wrexham Maelor Hospital to identify her son’s body.
They never succeeded. Miss Tinsley died at the scene after being hit by the car.
His three grandchildren, ages 17, 20 and 21, survived, two of whom were seriously injured.
The family’s nightmare unfolded in real time for Mr. Tinsley’s niece, Lisa, who was on the phone with one of her cousins when the crash happened.
“It was just a scream, a thump and a crash,” the 42-year-old man said. “The phone went dead and we kept ringing.
“Finally a paramedic responded and told me what happened.
“It wasn’t real. It was like living in a movie. Within six hours, our family was torn apart.”
Lisa said Mr Tinsley, whom she described as “more like a brother”, visited Llangollen regularly and loved swimming in the River Dee.
The family thinks that the person may have been exposed to cold water shock after jumping into the river.
Emergency crews tried hard to resuscitate him, but he could not be saved.
Three young adults lost both their father and the grandmother who raised them at a young age, relatives said in an emotional fundraising appeal.
In the objection, it was said, “There is nothing left for them.”
“We really need help raising funds for a double funeral to take some of the pressure and stress off my cousins.
“They’re recovering from their injuries and trying to process all of this.”
North Wales Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Tinsley’s death and an inquest will be held.
