Family Devastated by Double Tragedy: River Dee Death Follows Fatal Car Crash
Andrew Tinsley and Carol Tinsley die on same day, prompting calls for river safety and community support.
Sarah Connor
A North Wales family is grappling with an unimaginable double tragedy after Andrew Tinsley, 46, died in the River Dee, and Carol Tinsley was killed in a separate car crash on the same day, July 10.
Andrew Tinsley, 46, died in the River Dee in Llangollen on July 10, 2024; this tragic event was compounded by a fatal car crash involving his mother, Carol Tinsley, 70, later that same day.
Carol Tinsley was traveling to identify her son's body when the vehicle she occupied collided on Parkgate Road at the junction with Welsh Road in Chester.
Cheshire Police received reports of the serious collision between a grey Cupra Born and a black Kia Sportage at 11:33 pm on July 10, 2024.
North Wales Police had responded to a bridge on Castle Street, Llangollen, at 8:16 pm on July 10, 2024, following the initial incident involving Andrew Tinsley.
Lisa, Andrew Tinsley's niece, stated Andrew Tinsley died due to cold water shock to the heart, describing his death as a tragic accident in the River Dee.
The family confirmed Andrew Tinsley's death was a tragic accident. Lisa added, "We don't really know what's happened yet. We're still waiting for that information. But as far as we know, he had cold water shock to the heart. They tried to start his heart again, but unfortunately he didn't make it."
We don't really know what's happened yet. We're still waiting for that information. But as far as we know, he had cold water shock to the heart. They tried to start his heart again, but unfortunately he didn't make it.
In the subsequent collision, the driver of the Cupra remained uninjured; however, the occupants of the Kia suffered severe consequences.
The Kia's driver and two passengers sustained severe injuries, while a fourth passenger incurred minor injuries.
A family member confirmed Carol Tinsley, their nan, died at the scene of the crash. Two cousins sustained serious injuries, with another having minor injuries.
Lisa recounted the crash's immediate impact, stating, "I was on the phone to one of the kids, who was sitting in the back seat as the crash happened. It was just a scream and a rumble and crashing. We didn't know whether the phone had broken up - obviously it fell into place afterwards."
No arrests have been made in relation to the car crash. Investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
This double tragedy shattered the family. Andrew Tinsley's three cousins, who lived with Carol Tinsley from a young age as she was their guardian, experienced profound loss.
Derrie, a family member, articulated the profound impact: "This has broken our family as my three cousins lived with our nan from very young, she was their guardian and now they lost our nan and their dad in the same day, so they have been left with nothing."
They lost both their grandmother and their father on the same day. This left them without their primary caregivers.
Lisa reflected on the immediate aftermath, stating, "It was unreal. It was like living in a movie. It was so shocking. I don't think our lives are every going to be the same again. Within six hours, our family has been ripped apart."
It was unreal. It was like living in a movie. It was so shocking. I don't think our lives are every going to be the same again. Within six hours, our family has been ripped apart.
An online fundraiser has been established to help raise funds for a double funeral for Carol Tinsley and Andrew Tinsley.
Lisa explained the fundraiser's motivation: "She wants to take the stress away from the children because a double funeral is going to cost a lot of money, as you can imagine. They're still recovering from their injuries on top of that."
The family hopes this will alleviate some financial pressure and stress from the grieving cousins. This allows them to "grieve as a family without worrying and stressing. Being able to send them off with dignity and respect."
Lisa described Carol Tinsley as "very outgoing, very social. She was very much a people person. She loved the Royal Family, loved sitcoms, and she was so witty. She's irreplaceable."
Andrew Tinsley was also remembered by Lisa as "another strong character. He was very athletic, very sporty, very outgoing, and he was an amazing person."
Joseph Dunn extended gratitude, stating, "I would like to thank officers, our emergency service partners, and the assisting public for their response to this incident."
Lisa concluded, "Right now, I think we're all just a bit lost. But all I keep saying is as long as we're here for each other as a family, then we'll be all right and the kids stay together."