Teenager dies after motorbike fall on farm

A TEENAGE art student died yesterday after falling from a cross-country scrambler motorbike on a Co Limerick farm.

Gardaí are trying to ascertain whether Lisa Roche, 18, was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Ms Roche, from Tallyhoe, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, died at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital at around 1.30am, five hours after being rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

Ms Roche, who was studying art, was a pillion passenger on the motorbike.

She was being driven along a field at a farm in Milltown, Askeaton, by the son of the landowner at around 8pm on Monday.

Another youth, who was also using a scrambler motorbike in the field, raised the alarm.

Ms Roche was the only daughter of Anthony and Kathleen Roche, and sister to Jason, 19.

She sat her Leaving Cert exam at the Mercy College in Rathkeale last year.

Principal, John Brouder, said yesterday: “Lisa was a very bright student academically and a gifted creative artist. She was very popular among her year and was loved by all her friends.

“The school is devastated for Lisa, for her family and her friends,” he said.

Students at the school were yesterday offered counselling.

Sgt Vincent McCoy of Askeaton station said gardaí were carrying out a full investigation of her death.