Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
The identities of the four family members who tragically lost their lives in a car crash while on holiday have been confirmed.
The victims, including 20 year old twins, their 55 year old father, their 51 year old mother, and one of the young men’s girlfriends, all perished in the accident, which also claimed the life of a Portuguese man travelling alone in the second vehicle.
The parents, who were tragically killed in the head-on collision in a Nissan Juke they had rented from Faro Airport, have been identified as Maria Joao and Domingos Serrano. Their twin sons, Domingos and Afonso, also died in the crash. This tragic incident follows the horrific deaths of two men on Saturday in separate road traffic collisions in Tipperary and Waterford respectively.
A source close to the ongoing investigation stated: “The car was such a wreck officers could only recover half a number-plate and with that began working on trying to establish the identity.
“Today a daughter of the couple killed alongside their twin sons, worried because she had heard about the crash in Portugal and was concerned because she couldn’t contact her loved ones, rang the police to speak about her fears it was her family involved”, reports the Mirror.
“With the information she gave them officers made checks with the hire car firm at Faro Airport and tragically discovered a match.
“That was how they were able to confirm the identities of the five occupants in the car with the four members of the same family inside.”
Following the collision, the rental car was engulfed in flames, as per local reports. The Portuguese man involved in the accident, 26 year old Ruben Goncalves, has also been identified.
Ruben was employed at the Neves-Corvo mine, a zinc-copper mine southeast of Castro Verde, and had a four year old son.
Images from the crash site depicted the wreckage of one of the two vehicles involved in the incident in a field, where a fire broke out after the collision.
The collision occurred on a bend on the IP2, where signage indicates an 80kmh speed limit. Stunned locals took to social media today to voice their shock and distress over the incident.
Tania Marques Da Cruz expressed: “My most sincere condolences to all those killed. I hope their souls rest in peace. It’s so sad to hear of people leaving their homeland and friends in search of a better life and then have their lives end like this. How unfair life is.”
Cesar Caleiro posted on Facebook: “My sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed. Mourao must rally round to comfort the families of the victims.”
The GNR local police force is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident. Town hall officials in Mourao have declared two days of mourning starting from today.
A spokesperson stated: “The Municipal Council of Mourao has decreed two days of municipal mourning, effective from tomorrow, Sunday, following the death of five family members involved in a traffic accident last night on the IP2, near Castro Verde.
“The Municipality, in coordination with the family and law enforcement authorities, namely the local GNR Post in Castro Verde, obtained the number plate of the vehicle they were travelling in and confirmed the identity of the passengers at 3:35 p.m today.
“There were four occupants in the car, all from Mourao, and a young woman with ties to the family. Residents of England, they were travelling from Faro to Mourao for their usual and well-deserved holiday.
“It is with great sadness that the Municipality announces this information, offering its condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
“We inform you that all activities and events promoted by the Municipality are cancelled for the entire weekend.”
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
