Father of an Irishman killed in hit and run in New York offers funds to bring home victims of Berkeley tragedy

A fantastic gesture.

An Irishman whose son was tragically killed in a hit and run in New York two years ago has offered funds to help repatriate the six Irish students who died as a result of the balcony collapse in Berkeley yesterday. Kevin Bell (26), from Newry in Down, was killed in New York when he was hit by two cars in the early hours of June 17, 2013 after he had been socialising with friends in the city. No one has ever been charged with the responsibility for his death. Pic via Facebook/The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust In an effort to raise funds to bring his body home, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT) was established and since Kevin's death it has helped numerous people from all over Ireland repatriate loved ones who have died abroad. What has turned into an annual fundraising quiz for KBRT took place last night. The trust is managed by Kevin's parents, Colin and Eithne Bell and today, Colin told RTE's Liveline that they had contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs to “tell the families that the funds are there to bring their children home”. “When Kevin was killed, the people of Newry helped to raise a massive amount of money to him bring him home," said Colin Bell. "We’ve been using it to help other families whose love ones have also died abroad. “The funds are available to help these families, and since Kevin’s death two years ago, we’ve brought 70 people home.” Two years to the day since the death of his son, Mr. Bell said he and his wife “know exactly what [these] parents are going through". “Any time we hear of someone young dying abroad, it brings it back every time. “At this stage, we’re not concerned with who did it, or getting justice. We just want to move on from it.” For more information on the Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund, click here. Hat-tip to the Irish Independent