A leading Canadian television producer died in a horrific road accident at Coolishall Upper, on the R772 Gorey to Clough roundabout road last Thursday morning when the car she was driving was involved in a “head on” collision with a 4×4 vehicle.
Deborah Sharp Furlong, (48), with an address at Killowen, Gorey, was airlifted to Tallaght Hospital in Dublin and was pronounced dead a few hours later.
The driver of the second vehicle, a well-known local man in his 40’s, suffered a broken bone in his foot and was treated for shock and trauma.
The accident occurred at around 10.30 am and emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Ms. Furlong was married about one year to John Furlong, an Irishman born in Tipperary, and a well-known figure and the organising chief of the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.
She was a well-known television producer and worked on a number of television series’ in Canada including ‘Cold Squad’, ‘Search and Rescue’ and ‘Stargate SG-1’ and most recently was associate producer of eleven episodes of CBC’s (Canadian Broadcasting Company), ‘Arctic Air’ series.
Her shocked colleagues at CBC said: “We are devastated by the loss of one of our close friends and colleagues. To her children and husband, we extend our deepest condolences.”
Mr. Furlong released the following statement:
“It is with a broken heart that I must tell you of the death of my beloved wife, Deborah Sharp Furlong, as a result of an automobile accident while driving alone on vacation in the south-east of Ireland on April 11th 2013.
“While our extended families are beyond words over this loss, we would like to thank our friends and well-wishers for their heartfelt concern and condolences as our families face this sudden and painful tragedy.
“While I understand that there may be interest in more details, please understand that at this extremely difficult time, I request privacy for our families.”
Ms. Furlong’s tragic death on the outskirts of Gorey made headline news on television, radio and the print media in Canada.
Full story in THE GOREY ECHO.
