Irish tourist dies in Priestdale crash after planning new life in Australia
- Irish expat killed in Australia crash
- Carol Early died this weekend
An Irish expat who dreamed of starting a new life with her partner in Australia was killed in a fiery car crash at the weekend.
Carol Early and her husband Tony Buckley, 32, were involved in a horror collision in Priestdale, Brisbane, after visiting the Tiny Homes Expo on Saturday.
Both cars were engulfed in flames after the head-on collision.
Ms Early and Mr Buckley were married in Australia and planned to build a new life together here.
Irish and Australians are in mourning after the death of Irish expatriate Carol Early, killed in a fiery car crash on the outskirts of Brisbane this weekend.
Police said initial investigations suggest the vehicles were traveling in opposite directions when they collided, crashed and then burst into flames.
Florian Archer, a friend of Mr Buckley, told 7 News that Ms Early was sitting in the passenger seat of Mr Buckley’s vehicle when the force of the collision pushed the vehicle more than 20m before he or stuck against a power pole.
Mr Archer said a passing motorist pulled Mr Buckley from his vehicle before it caught fire.
“He stopped and helped Tony out of the car because the car was on its side,” Mr Archer said.
“Then Tony went to get his wife and the guy just pulled him away from the car.
“And then everything caught fire.”
Ms Early died at the scene.
But the couple’s dreams were cut short when they were involved in a horrific collision with another vehicle at the Ford Rd and Priestdale Rd roundabout in Priestdale after visiting the Tiny Homes Expo.
Police are investigating the crash and no charges have been filed.
Ms Early and Mr Buckley moved to Australia six years ago.
Ms Early comes from the Irish village of Donore, north of Dublin.
She worked in graphic design and print production and Mr Buckley worked as a car mechanic.
Four days ago, Mr Archer set up a GoFundMe to help Mr Buckley return his wife’s remains to her homeland.
The initial goal was $5,000, but the GoFundMe surpassed that, reaching more than $35,000 as of Thursday morning.
“Please help us help Tony bring Carol’s remains home,” Mr Archer wrote on the page.
“Tony is now faced with the costs of Carol’s funeral and return to her home soil of Ireland.”
Ms Early and her husband, Tony Buckley, a 32-year-old Irish national, were married in Australia and planned to build a new life together here.
Donors, both Irish and Australian, dug deep to provide a little relief to Mr Buckley and pay tribute to his beloved wife.
“Rest in peace Carole. You have brought so much joy to so many people. Your smile, your beauty and your talent will never be forgotten. Thinking of Tony and all your heartbroken family and friends. I pray for you all. Sophie, Shane and Mike,” wrote Mike Egan.
“I knew Carol through her graphic design work in Brisbane – my office was across the road and she has helped me on some projects over the last 12 months – this is just terrible news – she always had a smile and we were both Irish, we had a bit of insults about Drogheda and Limerick – she would tell me about her plans for Australia and her future with her husband, full of joy and of hope – life is so cruel,” wrote Robert Brouder.
“I was at school with Carol. This is terrible news. May she rest in power,” wrote Sinead Crilly.
