It should have been the type of holiday memories are made of. Texas dad Sean Copeland and his eleven-year-old son Brodie were in the southern French town of Nice to celebrate the birthday of a relative. Little did they know that before Bastille Day came to a close, they would be victims of a horror terrorist attack.
Mr Copeland and Brodie are the first named victims of Thursday night’s carnage, when a lorry ploughed through a crowd of people watching a fireworks display.
Their deaths were confirmed by family members as well as the Hill Country Baseball club, of which Sean and Brodie were members.
Latest reports suggest that Nice hospital is currently treating as many as as 50 children, with 84 people confirmed dead.
Posting about the family’s tragedy on Facebook, Sean’s niece, Haley Copeland, wrote:
“By now many of you have heard about the 80 people that have died in Nice, France today from a terrorist attack driving through a parade.
“2 of those people happen to be uncle Sean and 11-year-old cousin Brodie.
“They were there on vacation celebrating a birthday. This is an extremely difficult time for my family and anyone who knows Sean and Brodie Copeland.
“Losing a loved one is hard no matter the circumstances but losing a loved one in such a tragic and unexpected way is unbearable. Prayers are much appreciated.”
The Irish Embassy in Paris has asked anyone who needs assistance in Nice to contact them at +33 (0)144176700.
Image: Facebook
