Teen girl killed, six injured as car crashes into ditch

A 18-YEAR-OLD girl died and six other teenagers were injured after the car in which they were travelling crashed into a ditch in Co Cork yesterday evening.

Named locally as Ruth Gorey, the deceased, a Leaving Certificate student, is understood to have celebrated her 18th birthday in recent weeks.

One of the injured is understood to be her 15-year-old brother. It is believed the woman’s mother came on the scene of the accident last night which occurred about two miles from the family home in Kilbehenny, near Mitchelstown, Co Cork.

The party of seven was travelling in the seven-seat 4x4 on the old Cork/Dublin road between Kilbehenny and Mitchelstown, in the direction of Mitchelstown, when it crashed into a ditch at approximately 6.50pm. No other vehicle was involved.

It is understood that a number of ambulances attended the scene as well as a couple of units of the fire brigade, and that cutting equipment was used. The six who were injured, including four young women and two young men, all in their teens, were taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where they were last night being treated in the emergency department.

It is understood that none suffered life-threatening injuries. All are friends from the Kilbehenny/Mitchelstown area.

Ms Gorey, who driving at the time of the accident, was pronounced dead at the scene. She had taken part in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Mitchelstown earlier in the day, where she had walked horses in the parade and was a member of the Galtee Harriers Hunt Club. One local described Ms Gorey as “friendly, outgoing, and a role model”.

Forensic crash investigators attended the scene and traffic diversions were in place until midnight.

Gardaí spoke to a number of witnesses last night.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mitchelstown Garda Station 025-84833, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.