'I remember the bang to this day': RTÉ documentary revisits deadly Waterford road crash

One of the most deadly road crashes in Waterford in recent memory will be the focus of a gripping documentary to be broadcast on RTÉ television this Monday night.

Titled ‘Impact: Anatomy of a car crash’, the documentary will revisit one of Ireland’s most devastating road incidents which changed the lives of those involved and their families and friends forever. 

The fatal crash occurred on December 4, 2016 in Dungarvan, County Waterford. Two cars were involved in a collision on Military road resulting in three fatalities. 

Partners Mary Bermingham (37) and Gary Fenton (35) were driving a Citroen Picasso accompanied by four children ranging from the ages of seven to fifteen at the time of the accident. 

They were on their way to Kilmeadan for a family day out to see the Santa train for Winterval as part of the Christmas festivities when they were smashed into by an oncoming car from the wrong side of the road.

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The couple suffered horrendous injuries and one of the children in the car had to be airlifted to Cork University Hospital for emergency surgery while the other children sustained minor injuries.

Gary Fenton sustained the most serious injuries breaking his C2 Vertebra, all his ribs, femur, kneecaps and arms as well as puncturing his lung.

Mary sustained also significant injuries, fracturing her C2 Vertebra as well as breaking her ribs, both arms, her back, her left arm and ankle. 

Viewers of the hour-long documentary will hear how it was a miracle that they survived as they reflect on the traumatic incident and the impact it has had on their lives.

The other vehicle involved, a Volkswagen Golf containing three men - Eamon Dixon (22), Michael Tobin (38) and Ken O’ Sullivan (39) - who all died.

Following the horrific crash, the hatchback car went up in flames burning all three beyond recognition, meaning DNA had to be used to confirm their identities.

The driver of the car had a blood alcohol concentration of 221mg with traces of cocaine and other drugs also present in his system. The quantities detected are in excess of the legal limit and would have impacted his ability to drive cohesively. 

The sheer force of the incident was catastrophic with many first responders saying it was one of the most harrowing incidents they ever witnessed.

Nearly a decade later, the documentary will examine the lifetime of consequences birthed from the wreckage that day combining raw testimony, forensic reconstruction and the voices of those who survived. 

Speaking as part of the documentary, Mary Bermingham said: "I just looked up to the road and suddenly there was a car there, right in front of us". Looking back in the aftermath of the crash, she confessed: "I still have night terrors, I jump out of bed thinking I'm trapped".

Her daughter Chloe who had to undergo a five hour surgery to repair her spleen and intestines said: "When I looked up from my phone, I saw a car coming head on. I screamed, I remember the bang to this day, i can still hear the bang. I can feel my body being thrown forward still, it's just horrific."

This retelling of one of Ireland’s most devastating crashes will hear reflections from Survivors, first responders and road traffic experts. It will bring awareness to road traffic safety, drink and substance abuse whilst driving.

This comes during a period where accidents have been very prevalent on Irish roads over the last few years making it an important watch.

Impact: Anatomy of a car crash which was produced by Tyrone productions will air on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player at 9:30pm this Monday