Clonmel rally crash brothers alive thanks to miracle

John and Michael Looby, who were very seriously injured in a rally crash in Cavan in May. A benefit night is being organised by Moyle Rovers GAA to help with the men's future care and rehabilitation.

Published on 21/06/2012 11:53

Two Clonmel men who narrowly escaped with their lives from a rally car crash that killed two of the people standing beside them are alive today only because of a miracle.

Michael and John Looby were both very seriously injured at the Cavan Rally accident several weeks ago, and this week their father Michael told The Nationalist that he believes it is a miracle he still has his sons with him.

The Looby brothers are both still very ill, but they are able to speak to their families from their hospital beds - something that at one stage looked like it would never happen. John, in particular, was fighting for his life after the Bailieborough crash, which took place nearly four weeks ago.

Their injuries included some of the worst broken bones surgeons said they had ever seen.

While the journey to recovery is still a very long one for Michael and John, this week Michael was able to read the Father’s Day cards his two young sons sent him, and John is awake and able to speak to his parents and fiancee after weeks in a coma.

Their father has described their survival as a miracle saying “their time wasn’t up.”

The horrific accident took place during the Cavan Rally, on May 27. Rally co-driver Caroline Cleary and photographer Joe Lane, who were spectators on the day, were tragically killed in the crash.

Michael and John were rushed to Cavan hospital with extensive injuries, from where they were transferred to Dublin hospitals, and where they remain. Michael is in Beaumont Hospital and John is in Tallaght Hospital.

The men’s injuries are so severe they have had a series of operations and will have to undergo many more.

They could be in hospital for up to a year, before proceeding on to rehab. Michael senior says they couldn’t tell Michael’s two little boys just how badly injured their daddy is, and they know he is in hospital with a broken leg.

Read the full story in The Nationalist.

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Clonmel rally crash brothers alive thanks to miracle

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