The heartbroken family of Karzan Sabah Ahmed, who died with his wife and baby in a collision on the M6 in August, have said their grief is still raw as they face baby Lina’s first birthday this month without her.
Karzan’s younger sister Srwa Sabah Ahmed, 21, also said her family are heartbroken as they face the new year without Karzan, his wife Shahen and eight month old Lina - who were due to return home for the celebrations.
The young family, who were originally from Kurdistan in north Iraq, were killed instantly when Polish driver Jonasz Lach ploughed into their vehicle when he drove the wrong way down the M6 in Ballinasloe, Co Galway on August 19.
It is understood that Mr Lach’s car was being driven at speed towards oncoming traffic westbound on the M6 shortly after 7.30pm. Gardai believe Mr Lach was ‘driving with intent’ before ploughing into the oncoming traffic. He had been seen by mental health services over the past couple of years after coming to the attention of gardai.
All four were pronounced dead at the scene. Another motorist, travelling in a third car, sustained non-life threatening injuries.
The young family had been looking at houses in Co Carlow as Karzan had been offered a role with Teagasc, the Agricultural and Food Development Authority, after completing a PhD in Environmental Science at NUI Galway.
Speaking exclusively to The Irish Star this month, heartbroken Srwa said Karzan, Shahen and baby Lina “are always in our thoughts.”
“The accident is not something to be forgotten,” Sraw said.
However, she said by keeping busy with their daily lives she and her grieving family “are a bit better.”
“But my mom and dad are still very miserable and very sad. Especially this month as it would have been Lina’s first birthday.”
Srwa also said her Karzan, Shahen and baby Lina were due to go back home to Iraq in the coming weeks to celebrate the New Year with their whole family.
“They had plans to come back home and celebrate the New Year with us,” a tearful Srwa told The Irish Star.
“Unfortunately this isn’t going to happen at all.”
In October, Karzan, had his PhD in Environmental Science conferred on him posthumously at a special ceremony at NUI Galway.
A stone plaque dedicated to Karzan’s memory was also unveiled at the university.
A proud Srwa told The Star that Karzan’s PhD certificate and his thesis “are now in our hands.”
“We are so proud of Karzan and his work and he deserved the recognition of his PhD.
“His thesis and his PhD certificate are now in our hands and we are so proud,” said Srwa.
