An elderly woman died when she was crushed against a road barrier by her husband's car as she prayed at the scene of another fatal crash.
Nellie Doherty (78) was pronounced dead on arrival by helicopter at Letterkenny General Hospital shortly after the accident in Barnesmore Gap, 10km from Donegal town on the road to Ballybofey
A senior investigating garda said the tragedy happened when the couple were on their way to a special ceremony in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal, from their home in Strabane, Co Tyrone.
They stopped to pay tribute to the memory of a young friend, motor-cyclist John Barr (34), who was killed in an collision on Sunday night.
Sgt Iggy Larkin, head of the Garda South Donegal Traffic Corps, said: "It was a most unfortunate accident. Ms Doherty and her husband Lawrence decided to stop for a prayer at the spot where Mr Barr died.
"She got out of the car. Mr Doherty was manoeuvring the vehicle into a safe parking position when it was in collision with another vehicle and the woman was crushed against a roadside barrier."
The accident on Tuesday night happened as the couple were on their way to a service during St Anthony's novena at the Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh.
The elderly couple were taken to hospital by helicopter from the Sligo search-and-rescue service based at Strandhill Airport.
Ms Doherty was pronounced dead on arrival. Her husband was kept at the hospital overnight and released yesterday morning.
Local priest Fr John Doherty, a close friend of the couple, visited Mr Doherty in the hospital. Fr Doherty, parish priest of Leckpatrick on the edge of Strabane, said: "The entire neighbourhood is stunned. It was such a tragic accident.
"To say it is heartbreaking is an understatement."
He added: "There were well-known and very well liked. They had an upholstery business in Strabane which is now run by a son. They were daily Massgoers."
Fr Doherty said they stopped on the spur of the moment to pray for Mr Barr when they realised they were passing the spot where he had died the day before."They knew him because he painted their house not so long ago," he said.
Mr Barr was buried in Strabane yesterday.
The Dohertys, who lived on Derry Road, Strabane, had five sons, three daughters and 17 grandchildren. They celebrated their wedding golden jubilee last year and were planning a party for their 51st wedding anniversary next week.