Two women on dog rescue die in crash in Romania
SuppliedTwo British women on a dog rescue trip have been killed in a crash in Romania.
Rachael Harvey-Purkiss, from Essex, andAllison Condon, from Northamptonshire, were in a collisionwhich, according to reports, involved multiple vehicles near the Serbian border on Thursday.
The women were in the country having collected dogs on behalf of UK-based Homeward Bound, which helps street dogs in Turkey. It is understood a number of dogs also died in the crash.
In a Facebook post, Homeward Bound said it was devastated and described the women as "two beautiful rare diamonds".
"Their hearts were full of nothing but love and care for animals," the post added.
"Today we are grieving in a way I can't explain to you... please give us some time to try to process this awful tragedy."
The daughter of Allison Condon, Sammie Condon, also posted on Facebook to thank people for "an incredible outpouring of support and kindness from across the world".
"This was supposed to be a beautiful adventure that brought dogs to the life they dreamed of," she wrote.
Sammie said she believed at least one of the dogs had survived the crash.
"We have seen photos of him and he thankfully appears unharmed, he is with a Romanian rescue at the moment.
"I will be going to Romania in due course, after which mum will be repatriated to the UK," she added.
The Foreign Office said it had not been approached for assistance, but its staff "stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7".
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