Torquay toddler death crash inquest to open on Monday

An inquest into the death of an Irish toddler in a holiday car crash which left his parents fighting for life is to open on Monday.

Oisin Twomey, aged 16 months, died when a taxi driver crashed into the car carrying his father Connie and heavily pregnant mother Elber in Torquay, Devon, a week ago.

Unborn daughter Elber Marie did not survive the accident.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the inquest would open at Plymouth Coroner's Court on Monday morning as the parents remain critically ill in the city's Derriford Hospital.

The inquest into the death of 26-year-old driver Marek Wojiechowski from Poland will open on the same day.

Detective Inspector Nassaris of Devon and Cornwall Police Major Crime Investigation Team said: "We are conducting a thorough investigation into this incident in order to determine the cause of the collision.

"We have appointed family liaison officers to the families. At this time all of our thoughts are with the families involved in this tragic incident and we hope that Connie and Elber will make a recovery."

An interim death certificate is expected to issued by the coroner on Monday, allowing the Twomey family to repatriate the toddler's body.

The Twomeys were on holiday from their home in the tight-knit community of Meelin, Kanturk, Co Cork last week when the accident happened.

Police are investigating whether the Polish man, who lived locally with his wife Agnieska, swerved into the family in an oncoming car.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating whether an officer was in pursuit of the car at the time.

PA