Dad, 46, dies jumping into river from bridge hours before grandma, 70, killed in car crash on way to identify his body

A FAMILY have been left devastated after they lost their dad and grandmother just hours apart in a double tragedy. Andrew Tinsley, 46, died after a daredevil jump from a bridge; that night, his mother was killed in a car crash on her way to identify his body. Andrew Tinsley Three died in a river after a daredevil jump from a bridge Credit: WNS Carol Tinsley (right) with her granddaughter Lisa Credit: WNS The family were told that the dad-of-three died after a daredevil jump from a well-known bridge in Llangollen, North Wales. Carol Tinsley, 70, and her three grandchildren, aged 17, 20 and 21, then set off on a 50-mile journey from West Derby on Merseyside to the morgue at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Carol’s granddaughter and Andrew’s niece Lisa, 42, was on the phone to one of her cousins at the time of the horror 11.30pm collision. She said: “I don’t know what happened. All I know is she got in the car and set off, and the next thing we hear is there’s been a tragic car accident. Carol was killed in a crash as she was taken to identify her son’s body in hospital Credit: WNS Carol was killed and the others were injured in the car crash Credit: WNS “I was on the phone to one of the kids, who was sitting in the back seat as the crash happened. “It was just a scream and a rumble and crashing. We didn’t know whether the phone had broken up – obviously, it fell into place afterwards. “The phone cut off and we were trying to ring and ring and ring and ring. “Eventually we got through to my cousin and she was in the ambulance, and the paramedic took the phone off her and told me what had happened. Most read in The Sun “It was unreal. It was like living in a movie. It was so shocking. I don’t think our lives are ever going to be the same again. “Within six hours, our family has been ripped apart.” Lisa added that her uncle, who was “more like a brother” to her because of their close ages, was a regular visitor to Llangollen, and enjoyed swimming in the River Dee. She said: “We don’t really know what’s happened yet. We’re still waiting for that information. But as far as we know, he had cold water shock to the heart. They tried to start his heart again, but unfortunately he didn’t make it.” Llangollen bridge a popular spot for daredevils Credit: WNS Where Carol lost her life in a serious collision in Parkgate Road, Chester Credit: WNS An appeal from a family member said: “When on the way to the hospital they tragically got in a serious RTC; sadly, our nan died at the scene, my two cousins also had serious injuries, the other had minor injuries. “This has broke our family as my three cousins lived with our nan from very young, she was their guardian and now they lost our nan and there dad in the same day. “So they have been left with nothing, and we really need help to raise funds for a double funeral to take some pressure and stress away from my cousins, “They are recovering from their injuries and trying to process all this.” North Wales Police said the circumstances are still being investigated into the river death and an inquest will be held. The force said it will be working with local councils to highlight the dangers of jumping from Llangollen ‘s 16th-century bridge – described as “a long-held summer tradition regarded as a dangerous rite of passage” in the market town. The Grade I listed bridge is among the seven wonders of Wales, which attracts many visitors – and local schools are warned about the graduating tradition of leaping into the waters. Police were alerted to the scene on Castle Street at 8.16pm on Friday, July 11, after witnesses reporting seeing a man disappear after jumping from the bridge. Local people said a major emergency service response was launched with police, fire service and ambulance vehicles in the Denbighshire town. Inspector Joseph Dunn of the NWP Conwy & Denbigh Rural policing team said his thoughts are with the man’s family and friends. He added: “I would like to thank officers, our emergency service partners, and the assisting public for their response to this incident. “As a policing team, we are aware of safety concerns locally regarding diving off the bridge. “Whilst this is not a criminal offence, we will continue to work with Denbighshire County Council, Llangollen Town Council, and other partners to highlight the dangers to the general public, and officers will continue to advise and warn individuals intending to jump from the bridge of the dangers of doing so.” Successive heatwaves have brought huge crowds to Llangollen in the hope of cooling off next to the river Dee.