The American couple whose car was involved in a head-on collision with the State car of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, flew home yesterday to the United States by air ambulance from Co Kerry.
The couple, Mr John Corbett (56) and Ms Teresa Corbett (45) from St Louis, Missouri, were on a delayed honeymoon to Europe at the time of the crash. Ms Corbett was released from Kerry General Hospital a week ago after 11 days of treatment.
Mr Corbett suffered extensive injuries and spent some time in intensive case. He was said to be in a stable condition yesterday and will receive further treatment upon his return to the United States.
He was taken by ambulance to Kerry airport at Farranfore yesterday morning from where he was to begin his transatlantic journey.
The couple were travelling in a rented car towards Killarney ithe early afternoon of November 15th last when they were involved in a collision with Mr Ó'Cuív's Garda-driven car which was travelling in the opposite direction to an appointment in west Cork.
Five people, including the Minister and his secretary, were hospitalised after the crash. Mr Ó'Cuív's Volvo saloon burst into flames shortly after the impact. Fire officers had to use cutting equipment to free the Corbetts from their car. A 40 m.p.h. speed limit has now been called for in the busy tourist area. The accident is still under investigation. It is understood, however, that speeding has been ruled out as a cause of the accident.