Boy, five, on holiday from the UK is killed in quad-biking accident during family trip to Ireland to visit relatives
- The tragic incident occurred on Sunday afternoon on a farm in West Kerry
- Youngster was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries a short time later
A rural community in Co. Kerry is in a state of ‘deep shock’ after a five-year-old boy was killed in an accident involving a quad-bike.
The incident – described as a ‘freak accident’ in local media – occurred on a private farm at Cloghane near Castlegregory in west Kerry on Sunday afternoon.
It’s understood the child and his parents were living in the UK but were visiting their family members during the Bank Holiday weekend.
Their relatives are said to be ‘very well known and respected locally’.
When the alarm was raised, Gardaí and emergency services rushed to the scene. The boy received emergency first aid at the site before being transported to hospital.
Sadly, the boy died from his injuries a short time later.
A rural community in Co. Kerry is in a state of ‘deep shock’ after a five-year-old boy was killed in an accident involving a quad-bike (file photo)
Local Cllr Michael O’Shea told the Irish Daily Mail that the Castlegregory community and environs is ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by the Bank Holiday tragedy.
‘The community is in total shock over this, particularly since the boy’s family would be very well known and respected here,’ he said.
‘There’s not a lot you can say when something like this happens; it’s just one of these unforeseen accidents.
‘All I can say is that my deepest sympathies go to everyone affected.
‘Castlegregory is a very touristy area on the peninsula and quite popular around this time of year.
‘I’m just very sorry that something this tragic has happened here,’ he said.
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Breandán Fitzgerald also extended his condolences.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with this boy’s family and friends,’ he said.
‘It’s such a tragic thing to have happened and my heart goes out to the family.
‘This is a small community where everyone knows everyone, and we’re all shocked.’
According to the Irish Independent, the boy suffered fatal injuries in the ‘freak accident’ at around 3pm on Sunday. Desperate efforts were made to save him, but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
An autopsy is expected to be carried out on the tragic boy this week.
A Garda spokesman said that a family liaison officer has been appointed to support the family, with Garda sources confirming to the Irish Independent that the incident was being treated as a tragic accident, the publication reported.
‘Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of an incident on private property, in near Castlegregory, Co. Kerry on Sunday afternoon, 5th August 2023.
‘A child (boy) later passed away from his injuries.’
The spokesman added: ‘An Garda Síochána ask that the media give the family privacy at this time and report on this incident sensitively.
‘No further information is being made available at this time.’
This is the second incident this year where a young person has lost their life in a quad-bike-related accident.
In April, David Brown, 15, was killed when he and another youth hit a tree in a woodland in Ballyshaneduff, Ballybrittas, Co. Laois.
A second teenager was brought to Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore following the incident. However, his injuries were not life-threatening.
And in 2021, Jokubas Sliosoras, 9, died from injuries sustained in an accident on a quad-bike, also in Co. Laois.
His inquest heard that the boy had taken the vehicle without his father’s permission.
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