A 19-YEAR-OLD student nurse died yesterday in a road traffic crash in Co Clare, as her boyfriend was travelling in a car behind.
Sarah Morrissey, from the townland of Kilmurray McMahon, was studying nursing at University Hospital, Galway.
The incident occurred at about 7.15am on a narrow minor road at Slievedooley, about 100 yards from its junction with the R473 Kildysart to Labasheeda coast road, on the north bank of the Shannon estuary.
The young woman’s boyfriend, Shane Tubridy, who was travelling in his own car, raised the alarm but, locals said, “there was nothing else he could do for her”.
The victim’s silver Toyota Yaris car is understood to have struck the ditch on one side of the road before careering into the ditch on the opposite side and turning on its side.
Two units of the fire service from Kilrush along with an ambulance and a rapid response advanced paramedic unit from Ennis were sent to the scene. It is understood, however, that the victim died instantly.
Local councillor Oliver Garry, who knows both families, said: “Both parishes would be very close and this girl’s family is very well known in west Clare.”
The head of the Garda Traffic Corps in Clare has appealed for anyone who passed the scene of the crash to contact them for their investigations in Kilrush on 065- 9080550.