Heartbreaking! Mother who lost five members of her family in pier drowning tragedy helps carry their coffins to their house

Family: Louise James pictured with her partner Sean McGrotty and their children Evan and Mark, who have all died in a car accident; her baby daughter Rionaghac-Ann, pictured in her arms, was the only survivor 
It was a heart-breaking homecoming no mother should ever endure. Hundreds of mourners bowed their heads in respect as heartbroken mother Louise James carried the coffins of her partner, two sons, mother and sister into their home after the family drowned in a tragic accident on an Irish pier.


Sean McGrotty, his sons Mark, 12, and Evan, eight, his mother-in-law Ruth Daniels and his sister-in-law Jodie-Lee died when their car apparently slipped on algae and plunged into Buncrana harbour in County Donegal, north-west Ireland.

Escorted by police to the entrance of the street in Derry city, the five hearses slowly edged their way in, followed by another car carrying heartbroken Ms James and her brothers.

The only sound to be heard was the purr of the hearses’ engines. Ms James and her brothers got out of their car and as she went into her house, they each opened up the back doors of the five hearses.

Louise James, left, carries the coffin of her eight-year-old son Evan, who died alongside his father and brother in a tragic accident 

Louise James, left, carries the coffin of her eight-year-old son Evan, who died alongside his father and brother in a tragic accident
Mourners lowered their heads as Louise James carried the coffin of her 12-year-old son Mark into the family home this afternoon 

Mourners lowered their heads as Louise James carried the coffin of her 12-year-old son Mark into the family home this afternoon
Ms James and her brother, Josh, carry the coffin of their mother, Ruth Daniels, into the family home in Derry, Northern Ireland 

Ms James and her brother, Josh, carry the coffin of their mother, Ruth Daniels, into the family home in Derry, Northern Ireland
 Loved ones waited outside the property to show their support as Ms James carried the coffin of her teenage sister Jodie Lee inside 

Loved ones waited outside the property to show their support as Ms James and her brother, Josh, carried the coffin of their sister Jodie Lee inside

Having lost five members of her family, ‘she was just so generous and grateful that her baby was saved. She knew that her husband Seán had broken the window to pass the baby girl out and that a man [Davitt Walsh] had saved baby Rionaghac-Ann.’

  Newborn: Evan and Mark with their baby sister Rionaghac-Ann, who survived thanks to the actions of a heroic bystander 
Evan and Mark with their baby sister Rionaghac-Ann, who survived thanks to the actions of a heroic bystander

Jodie-Lee Daniels  Ruth Daniels

Jodie-Lee Daniels, left, and her mother Ruth Daniels, right, drowned when their car slipped off a pier last night
  Family: Sean McGrotty and his eight-year-old son Evan, pictured, both died in the tragic accident
Sean McGrotty and his eight-year-old son Evan, pictured, both died in the tragic accident
  Accident: This image of the algae-covered slipway taken yesterday appears to show skidmarks from a car

This image of the algae-covered slipway taken yesterday appears to show skidmarks from a car
The family drowned when their Audi Q7 (pictured in file image) plunged into the sea. Two of the bodies were recovered from the car  

The family drowned when their Audi Q7 (pictured in file image) plunged into the sea. Two of the bodies were recovered from the car

May their souls rest in peace and for their loved ones may God be their consolation during this grieving period 

Heartbreaking! Mother who lost five members of her family in pier drowning tragedy helps carry their coffins to their house