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Mother of girl (3) killed in car crash says organ donation was 'incredible legacy for her'

The mother of a three-year-old girl who died in a car crash says her daughter has left an 'incred...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

10.03 29 Mar 2021


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Mother of girl (3) killed in c...

Mother of girl (3) killed in car crash says organ donation was 'incredible legacy for her'

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

10.03 29 Mar 2021


Share this article


The mother of a three-year-old girl who died in a car crash says her daughter has left an 'incredible legacy' through organ donation.

Amy Dutil-Wall has been speaking to mark Organ Donor Awareness Week, organised by the Irish Kidney Association, which began on Saturday and continues until April 3rd.

Estlin (3) was killed, and her father Vincent seriously injured, in a crash back in March 2017. 

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It happened when her father was driving her to crèche from their home in Ennistymon, Co Clare.

Amy Dutil-Wall, Estlin and Vincent. Picture supplied by family

Amy told Newstalk Breakfast she had to make the decision to donate her organs, as her husband was in a coma.

"There's a lot of memories that are very fuzzy at the time: I remember them saying 'in these kind of situations we have the option of doing organ donation' - and I just remember saying yes.

"And they said 'you can have time to think about it' and I said 'no, we'll do it'.

"I kind of knew right away this is a small thing, that there can be good that comes from this.

"When a child so young dies in a sudden tragic accident like that, your whole world just kind of implodes.

"So you're really searching for things that you can cling to that you know are going to help you keep going.

"And that was when I felt right away 'If she can actually save people's lives from the loss of her own, that's an incredible legacy for her'.

'Not all of Estlin died'

Amy said she found a comfort in the decision.

"There's very few things I think that, when you're losing a child, that you can imagine will help you survive.

"But that is something that I've always really found quite surreal when I think about it: that actually not all of Estlin died.

"There are parts of her that still exist in the world today.

"That's incredible to think that even though we couldn't save her, this tiny little thing she could save other people and she did.

"So I'm incredibly proud of that, it definitely brings comfort".

Amy said while she never thought she would have to consider this, she is encouraging others to look at organ donation.

Amy Dutil-Wall Vincent, Estlin and Amy are seen in this file photo. Picture supplied by family

"In the majority of these cases, it's something that you're having to make this kind of decision after a very sudden and traumatic accident.

"It's just one of those things that I would I say I never thought about - ever did I ever think about being in that position - but to actually think about that before you're in that position.

"I know for a lot of parents it is very difficult in those moments to say 'yes'... but I've often thought since then of people that are on other side of it.

"That they know the only way their child is going to survive is if another child dies.

"We wish we could avoid all of these kinds of tragedies, but we don't and they happen - and I'd absolutely encourage parents to talk about it".

Mother of girl (3) killed in car crash says organ donation was 'incredible legacy for her'

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Main image: Estlin Wall. Picture supplied by family

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Amy Dutil-Wall Estlin Organ Donation Organ Donor Awareness Week Vincent

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