Tributes have been paid to two British women who died during a dog rescue mission in Romania after their minibus was involved in a collision with two lorries and a van.
Allison Condon, 61, and Rachael Harvey-Purkiss, 41, were killed at the scene, along with eight dogs.
The pair have been remembered as “two rare diamonds”.
They had travelled to Caraș-Severin in western Romania, near the Serbian border, to collect abandoned dogs on behalf of UK-based charity Homeward Bound.
Ms Condon, from Northamptonshire, and Ms Harvey-Purkiss, from Essex, were pronounced dead after their minibus collided with two HGVs and a van in a horrific crash.
A 60-year-old man was also injured, according to reports.
The crash happened at around 11am on Thursday on the DN6 national road, which is comparable to an A-road in the UK.
Local media, citing police sources, reported that the minibus was carrying ten dogs when it veered onto the wrong side of the road.
Pictured: Charity worker Rachael Harvey-Purkiss, 41, who died in the Romanian crash alongside her colleague Allison Condon, 61, and several dogs
Romanian fire crews work at the crash scene to remove the windscreen from one of the HGVs involved
The minibus then collided head-on with an HGV, which struck another lorry, leaving the smaller vehicle trapped between the two heavy goods vehicles.
The driver of the first HGV was injured, while a van travelling behind the second lorry was also caught up in the crash.
Reports said Ms Condon was driving at the time, while Ms Harvey-Purkiss was sitting in a passenger seat of the UK-registered minibus.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision.
The deaths have prompted an outpouring of tributes to the women, who were carrying out charitable work in Romania.
The pair are understood to have been transporting the dogs for UK organisation Homeward Bound.
The charity provides “care, protection, treatment and security for animals which are lost/found or stolen and are in need of care”.
Teresa Shears, speaking for Homeward Bound, wrote in an online tribute: “As you can well imagine, we are grief stricken at this time.”
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The two British women were pronounced dead at the scene after their minibus reportedly veered onto the wrong side of the road and was crushed between two lorries
The charity Homeward Bound described the pair, including Rachael Harvey-Purkiss, pictured, as “two rare diamonds”
‘The tragedy of losing the ladies and our furry family has ripped our hearts out. This terrible accident has hurt us beyond words.
‘I have hundreds upon hundreds of messages I am trying to keep up with. But I am struggling to get through so many.
‘For now please can I ask you all to be patient with updates and replies. I hope you can understand?
‘It’s going to take time to come to terms with the loss of life.
‘I’m so terribly sorry for the family and friends of the two rare diamonds we have lost but they want us to keep going. We will with your support continue.’
Ms Condon’s daughter Sammie said in a separate post: ‘I can’t believe I am writing this and I am devastated to have to confirm that my mum, passed away yesterday.
‘She and another amazing volunteer, Rachael, were transporting rescue dogs across Europe to a brand-new life when a horrific accident occurred in Romania and both incredible ladies lost their lives, as did most of the dogs in the van.
‘This wasn’t supposed to happen…I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact it did and we still don’t know why or how just yet.
‘This was supposed to be a beautiful adventure that brought dogs to the life they dreamed of.’
She added: ‘Mum was loved far more than she knew, I only hope she can now see how many people did care about her.’
Meanwhile, Ms Harvey-Purkiss’s father Paul wrote in another online post: ‘I hope no one is more or again upset by this photo of my daughter just before the crash.’
He added: ‘My beautiful daughter Rachael RIP.’
It is understood that the Foreign Office has not been approached for assistance but that its staff ‘stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7’.
The FCDO has been approached for further comment.
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