Hungarian crash victim came to Omagh to provide a 'better life for his family'
Thursday, 2 October 2008
by Stephen McKiernan.
A HUNGARIAN father, who emigrated to Omagh to earn money to pay for his sons' education, has been killed in a road traffic collision on his way to work.
Istivin Apaczeller, 56, died in a fatal smash on the Omagh to Drumquin Road at Gillygooley on Tuesday morning.
Mr Apaczeller was a passenger in a black Honda Integra car that was in collision with a Mercedes box lorry shortly before 7am. He died at the scene. The driver of the car was rushed to Enniskillen's Erne Hospital, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Three men in the lorry escaped unhurt. The road was closed for several hours after the collision, but was reopened shortly before 2pm on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Apaczeller had two sons in Hungary, and it believed he also leaves behind an elderly father and a brother. He moved to Omagh from Hungary in 2006 in a bid to finance his son's college education.
Mr Apaczeller had been heavily involved with the Omagh Ethnic Communities Support Group since his time in the area, and had enrolled in English classes in an attempt to further integrate with the local community.
Nick Cassidy, administrator of the support group based at Community House, said Mr Apaczeller was an important member of the local ethnic community.
Shocked
“We're deeply shocked by what has happened. He was a very active member of our group.
“We knew him very well so the news came as all the more shocking when we heard. We will be trying to make contact with other members of the Hungarian community to help them get through the tragedy because he was very well liked."
Since his time in Omagh, Mr Apaczeller had worked as an electrician for O'Neill Electrics, Dromore. Owner of the firm, Kevin O'Neill, said he was a fantastic employee and individual.
“Well, what can I say about him, he was just a lovely man. A really nice man.
“He was a lovely, quiet, inoffensive man, he really was. I can't speak more highly of him. No matter what needed to be done he would do it without fuss and to the best of his ability.
“He really liked it here and tried to fit into the community. He was to be back at the English classes very soon. I was actually chatting to a lady who takes the English classes with him and she said he was getting on great with them."
Mr O'Neill said that on the morning of his death, Mr Apaczeller had being making his way to Drumquin to pick up a vehicle for an electrical job. The driver of the vehicle was not an employee of O'Neill Electrics, as the deceased had made his own arrangements to travel to Drumquin.
‘Good Worker'
“He worked directly for me. He was travelling to work to pick up a van in Drumquin. He was very good like that, always a good worker.
“What more can I say? It's just a sad day and he came over here to better himself and better the life for his family. He pushed his sons through education through hard work and I think one of his sons has already been through college because of him.
“He used to book his holidays six months in advance and always told me six months beforehand that he was going back home to Hungary to see his boys. He took three weeks every summer and three weeks every Christmas and always when he came back, he had something for me, a present from Hungary. It's just a sad tragedy, he will be sorely missed."
West Tyrone DUP Assembly member, Tom Buchanan, expressed his condolences and extended his sympathy to the family of the deceased and urged other road users to be careful as the light and weather conditions deteriorate in the mornings and evenings.
Sympathy
“I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of the person who was so tragically killed this morning (Tuesday) as a result of a car accident on the Gillygooley Road near Omagh. It is so tragic that there has been another fatality on our roads and that another family has been left grieving.
“My thoughts and prayers are also extended to those who were injured and wish them a speedy recovery.
“I would urge all road users to exercise much care and caution especially coming in to the winter months. It is vital that we all cut down our speed and pay particular attention to the road conditions at all times."
Funeral arrangements for Mr Apaczeller are yet to be determined as instructions are awaited from his next of kin.
PSNI Inspector, Ian Kennedy, who is leading the police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, appealed for information: "Police are keen to hear from anyone who either witnessed the collision, came across the scene or saw the vehicles involved in the collision at any time that morning. The vehicles involved were a black Honda Integra car, V221FCD, and a white Mercedes box type lorry, PJI 8711, with a company logo on it."
The number to call with any information is 0845 600 8000.
