3-year-old injured last month in Lincoln Co. wreck dies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Before a pancake breakfast fundraiser in Rock Hill Saturday the Walsh family told guests the sad news.

The Walsh family revealed 3-year-old Virginia Walsh, known as Ginny, died just after 10 p.m. Friday.
 
Her family was faced with the diagnosis she would never recover after a Sept. 26 car accident in Lincoln County en route to a pageant competition.

• Related: GoFundMe page for the family

Family friends said before Ginny died her older sister Tori Walsh told her goodbye.
 
"She just went to her bedside and said 'I love you Virginia. When you get to heaven tell Mary and God I said I loved them,'" family friend Kim Chandler said.
 
Despite setbacks, there have been steps forward.
 
Tori,11, was released from the hospital Friday.
 
Her mother, Rebecca Walsh, was scheduled for release Saturday.
 
But family friends said both will likely have lengthy recoveries ahead.
 
Joe and Rebecca Walsh also have two boys, both with autism.
 
Fundraisers, donations and people willing to volunteer are helping the family find their new normal.

“They are so very, very grateful for everything that everyone is doing,” Chandler said.

The girls' father wrote a tribute to Ginny.

"Give Jesus a special Ginny bug hug and enjoy playing in paradise. Remember your daddy will always love you,” he wrote.

“It became apparent that Virginia was needing to walk with Jesus, and so that's what they allowed her to do. Total selflessness,” Chandler said.

A pageant will be held at 2 p.m. at the Lincolnton Cultural Center in Lincolnton to raise money for the family.

Funeral Arrangements:

A Celebration of life service will be held at St. Annes Catholic Church, 1694 Bird Street, Rock Hill, SC at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 29. A private viewing will be held for immediate family at 4:30 p.m. in the church chapel. Family and friends are invited to a reception following at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Walsh Family benefit account.

A 3-year-old, who was injured in a Lincoln County crash last month, has died.

Ginny Walsh was in critical condition at Levine Children's Hospital.

• Past coverage: Pageant community praying for girls, mother injured in wreck

Her sister, Tori, 11, and their mother, Rebecca, were also seriously injured in the wreck.

According to state troopers, Rebecca Walsh was driving north on Highway 321 when she lost control of the SUV and crashed.

Officials said the vehicle rolled three times, and the two girls were ejected from the SUV.

Friends told Eyewitness News that the family was headed to a pageant in Valdese.

Family and friends held a pancake breakfast Saturday morning at Fatz Cafe in Rock Hill to raise money for the family's medial and burial expenses.

WSOC