Fireman uncle called out to scene of nephew's tragic death
The fireman uncle of a teenager who tragically lost his life in a quad-bike accident was called out to attend the scene of his nephew's death today.
The 17-year-old victim, from Co Limerick, was travelling without a helmet on a quad bike when it was involved in a near-head-on collision with a tractor and hedge cutting machinery.
He sustained fatal injuries to his head and died at the scene.
Gardaí said the collision occurred at around 1.45pm on the R507 Oola to Doon Road in Co Limerick.
Detective Inspector Brian Sugrue, acting Superintendent at Bruff Garda station, said: "The young man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body has been brought to hospital in Limerick for a post mortem.
"We are not appealing for any witnesses."
Gardaí said the fatal crash happened on a sharp bend on the R507 about three miles from Oola.
"He sustained severe head injuries," Insp Sugrue added.
"He wasn't wearing a helmet. His family attended the scene and have also gone with him to (University Hospital Limerick). Our forensic collision investigators and scenes of crime unit are at the scene. The road will be closed for a number of hours yet.
Gardaí believe the victim had been traveling in convoy with a group of friends who were in a car, but who are not believed to have had any part in the incident.
"They were in a different car and had nothing to do with it as far as we can see," Insp Sugrue added.
"There were friends of his there at the time of the collision and are witnesses."
He warned people not to take any type of quad bike onto public roadways.
"They're very dangerous and they are not suitable for roads," explained Insp Sugrue.
"They are also capable of tremendous speed and they don't have the safety features other vehicles would have.
"They are farm machinery that should not be used as recreational vehicles on the roads."
In a tragic twist, the accident victim's uncle, a fireman with Limerick County Fire Service, was dispatched to the scene as part of the emergency service response.
It was only when he arrived at the scene with his colleagues that he realised the victim was his nephew.
"He was at the scene. It's very tragic," a Garda source confirmed.
Friends of the deceased wrote tributes on his Facebook page expressing their shock at his sudden passing.
