The 13-year-old who died at a motorsport event in west Cork has been named locally.
Lauren O’Brien, from Tarelton near Macroom, was competing in a hot-rod rally at the Cork Autograss Racing Club track when the crash happened on Sunday at about 3.30pm.
A postmortem examination and technical examination are now being carried out in an attempt to establish the cause of the crash.
It’s understood Ms O’Brien grew up in Castletownkenneigh and attended Coppeen National School before the family moved to Tarelton but she continued to go to primary school in Coppeen.
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She attended McEgan College in Macroom, where she was a popular first-year student.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, McEgan College said the devastating news reached the school yesterday afternoon.
“Lauren was a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun-loving, kind, caring, a lovable rogue. Lauren’s vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College.
“She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community.”
The school extended sympathy to her family and friends. The school was open on Monday afternoon for members of the school community to come in for support.
Lauren was one of four junior drivers competing in a heat at the event when her one-litre-engined Nissan Micra hatchback went out of control as she approached a bend and hit a steel barrier.
Safety marshals who were monitoring the competition raced to the scene of the crash and the emergency services were alerted including the Irish Community Air Ambulance from Rathcoole.
Emergency Medicine Consultant, Dr Jason Van Der Velde of West Cork Rapid Response, as well as a HSE paramedics team also attended but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her body was removed to Cork University Hospital where a postmortem was due to take place on Monday.
Gardaí are also hoping that a technical examination of the modified hatchback by a Garda PSV inspector will establish if the car was suffering from any mechanical fault that might have led to the crash.
Gardaí preserved the scene of the crash on the specialist track to allow a forensic crash investigator to investigate the collision to see if they can establish what caused the collision.
Sinn Féin senator Nicole Ryan, from nearby Millstreet, extended her sympathies to the O’Brien family on the death of their daughter and said her thoughts were with her family.
“Lauren’s passion for motorsport and her bright spirit will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and all affected by this terrible loss,” she said,
Road Race Alliance of Ireland, which represents motorcyclists involved in road racing in the Republic, posted on social media that Lauren was a brave girl with a passion for racing.
“Her loss is unimaginable, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family, her friends, her fellow competitors and everyone who knew and loved her.
“When a tragedy like this happens, it ripples through every paddock, every track and every corner of the racing world. No matter what we all ride or drive, we all understand the love the risk and the heartbreak that comes with the sport.
“We send our love and strength to those mourning Lauren. May she rest in peace and forever race among the stars.”
It’s understood that there were several hundred spectators at the motorsport event and gardaí have begun taking statements from the organisers including the safety marshals who were on duty at the time.
Gardaí are also appealing for other witnesses to come forward and have asked anyone who was attending the event between 3pm and 4pm and may have camera footage to contact them.
Anyone who can assist gardaí with information or camera footage is asked to contact Bandon Garda station on (023) 8852200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Cork Autograss Racing Club was formed in 1998 by members of the west Cork Hot Rod Club and the club has raced since at the Castletownkenneigh track which they have developed.
The track, which is located about five kilometres northwest of the village of Enniskeane, underwent a major expansion in 2010 and is part of a sports complex shared with other sports.
