Mother fighting for life after daughter killed in horror crash
A Limerick family is in mourning tonight after an eight-year-old girl was killed in a horrific two-car collision in Co Cork.
The girl's mother, aged in her 30s, is fighting for her life in hospital.
According to a Garda source, the woman and her daughter were holidaying with friends in West Cork when their car - which contained two other adults and two other children - and another car were in collision on the N71 near Rosscarbery at about 3pm.
The two adults and two other children are said to gave sustained minor injuries in the crash.
A 17-year-old boy, who was driving the second car, also sustained minor injuries and is being treated for shock.
A Garda spokesman at Clonakilty Garda station confirmed the victim and her mother are from Limerick but would not disclose any further information.
A Sergeant on duty at Henry Street Garda station, Limerick, also said: "We would not give out that kind of information".
Emergency services in West Cork were alerted shortly after the fatal crash, however the girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her body was removed to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem examination. Her mother is in a critical condition at the same hospital.
The collision reportedly happened on a steep section of roadway near the turnoff for Owenahincha Beach.
An air ambulance helicopter was dispatched to the scene, which was also attended by members of the coast guard, gardaí, ambulance and fire crews.
One of the two cars involved went off the road and ended at the bottom of a deep ravine.
Gardaí have closed off the road and a Garda specialist forensic collision investigator is examining the scene.
Diversions are in place on the road which is the main thoroughfare between Clonakilty and Skibbereen.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Clonakilty Garda Station on 023 - 8821570 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
