A family in North Wales is mourning the loss of two relatives who died in separate incidents just hours apart on July 10. Andrew Tinsley, 46, a father of three, died after jumping into the River Dee at Llangollen, a popular spot for swimmers and daredevils. Later that same day, his mother, Carol Tinsley, 70, was killed in a car crash near Chester while traveling with her three grandchildren, who sustained injuries in the collision.

Andrew Tinsley was reported missing shortly after witnesses saw him enter the river near Llangollen’s 16th-century bridge, a Grade I-listed structure known for attracting visitors during warm weather. North Wales Police arrived at the scene at 8:16 p.m. and have confirmed that investigations into the circumstances of the river incident are ongoing. Authorities indicated the likely cause of death was cold water shock, and attempts to resuscitate Mr. Tinsley were unsuccessful.

Following the initial tragedy, family members began traveling approximately 50 miles to a mortuary in Wrexham to identify Andrew Tinsley’s body. During this journey, Carol Tinsley was involved in a serious road traffic collision near Chester at around 11:30 p.m. Her three grandchildren, aged 17, 20, and 21, accompanied her at the time; two sustained serious injuries, and one was injured less severely.

Lisa Tinsley, 42, granddaughter of Carol and niece of Andrew, described the chain of events as “shocking” and said the family’s loss felt like “living in a movie.” She recounted being on the phone with one of the grandchildren at the moment of the crash and noted the tremendous impact the tragedies have had on the family. “[Within six hours], our family has been ripped apart,” she said.

Lisa Tinsley also described her uncle Andrew as being “more like a brother” due to their close age gap, noting he was a regular visitor to Llangollen and enjoyed swimming in the river. She added that the family is still trying to understand precisely what happened but believes cold water shock contributed to Andrew’s death.

A family member has launched an appeal seeking financial assistance to cover the costs of a double funeral, emphasizing the emotional and financial strain on the grandchildren, who had been under their grandmother’s care since a young age. The appeal highlights the loss of both the children’s father and guardian on the same day, leaving them without immediate family support.

North Wales Police stated that they plan to work with local councils to raise awareness about the dangers of jumping from the historic Llangollen bridge. The site, which has long been a favored summer spot, sees increased visitors during heatwaves, adding to concerns about public safety.