The husband of an Irish woman killed with her two-year-old daughter in a car crash in Poland has written a poignant tribute to the "two most important girls in his life".
Soren Buchtrup said words cannot describe the loss of his 30-year-old wife Yvonne and their two year old daughter Ella.
Originally from Curraghchase, Kilcornan, Co Limerick, Ms Long was travelling to Krakow airport with her Danish husband and their two children when the crash occurred.
The mother and daughter Ella, who would have been three in August, both died after another vehicle travelling at high speed crashed into their parked car.
Mr Buchtrup, and the couple’s seventh month old baby boy Noah, were treated for minor injuries but survived the crash, which took place at 3pm on Wednesday afternoon near Nowy Targ in Poland.
Wedding in Slovakia
The Buchtrup family, who live in Bergen in Norway, had attended a friend's wedding in Slovakia and were on their way to Krakow airport.
In a tribute to his wife and daughter on his Facebook page Mr Buchtrup wrote:
“Here is the two most important girls in my life, whom I cherish and love very very much. First my little girl Ella who is just starting her life. Always full of dancing, singing and laughter. Always ready to sing “Twinkle twinkle little star” when Noah starts to cry.
“Then my wonderful and loving wife Yvonne who always lightens up any room she enters and who touches anyone’s heart. Always telling me we are soul mates and that she loves me, even when I’m being difficult. So full of life and ideas always, and never too old to arrange and play funny games with anyone’s kids. My little big girl.”
‘Beautiful memories’
Mr Buchtrup, a helicopter pilot, said: “I feel I have lost everything, but I still have the two most important boys in my life. I will keep cherishing and loving them forever together with the beautiful memories and love of Yvonne and Ella.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the Long family was being offered consular assistance.
Ms Long was the youngest daughter of John Long, a well-known figure in horse racing circles, and his wife Angela. Her uncle Ronnie Long is a leading figure in Irish athletics.
Ms Long and Mr Buchtrup married four years ago in Ireland.
The 30-year-old worked as an interior designer and went to University in Edinburgh, after studying in Dún Laoghaire and Villiers Secondary School in Limerick.
‘Family shattered’
“Yvonne was a fantastic girl, beautiful looking and had a real sparkle. She was very bright and extremely artistic,” said a family friend. “The family are shattered. Her poor mother is in an awful state. They were extremely close.”
Ms Long is also survived by her older sister who is studying to become a pilot in Canada and two younger brothers Gary and Ian, who live in Ireland.
Fine Gael Councillor Ger Mitchell said the local community was stunned.
“They would be a very well-known and highly respected family and John in particular would be very well known in horse racing circles. This is just a shocking tragedy. People are in disbelief that his daughter and granddaughter have died, it’s so terrible sad and the sympathy of the entire community is with them.”