Girl (13) dies after crash at Cork motor racing event

Olivia Kelleher Gil

A teenage girl has died following an accident at a motor racing event which was hosted by the Cork Autograss Racing Club near the village of Enniskean in West Cork on Sunday afternoon.

The girl, who is understood to be 13, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was taken to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem examination.

The youngster was participating in a heat when her vehicle crashed, It is understood she is from the local area.

The office of the Coroner in Cork has been contacted in relation to the tragedy. A garda investigation is underway. An inquest will be held in due course.

Racing got underway at 11 am on Sunday morning and was suspended when the accident happened at 3 pm. It was to involve male, female and junior events.

Cork Autograss was formed in 1998 from the West Cork Hotrod club. The club races from Castletown Kennnigh Track.

Autograss Racing is motor racing on loose surface track with anything from near road spec 1000cc hatchbacks to full space framed saloons with engines varying from large v8’s to twin bike powered and even the odd turbo diesel.

The sport caters from the age of 12 upwards.

The scene was preserved for a technical examination. The postmortem examination will be carried out at Cork University Hospital by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster. A family liaison officer will be appointed to assist the family.

The West Cork Hotrod Club has raced at the Castletown Kennigh track since 1998. A major track extension was carried out in 2010 in conjunction with Castletown Celtic football club, whose pitch is the centre of the track.

Anyone who may have camera footage and were attending the event between 3pm and 4pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bandon Garda Station on (023) 8852200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.