Irishman killed in Peru charity adventure

AN IRISH adventurer has died during a charity adventure in Peru.

The victim, named locally as Peter Buckley, 25, from Wexford, drowned after his motorised rickshaw came off the road and plunged down a steep bank into a river. It is understood he was the youngest of a family of nine, with four brothers and four sisters.

He and a friend, Eamonn O’Leary, were taking part in a 4,500km bike run across Peru to raise money for charity. Mr O’Leary was taken to hospital seriously injured.

The crash occurred on a dirt track in the district of San Miguel de Mayocc, six days into the fortnight-long charity challenge. Police said their mototaxi plunged 150 metres down a bank into the Mantaro River after the driver lost control. The three wheel vehicles have been described as a sofa on a motorbike.

Fellow competitors spoke of their devastation. A British entrant Chris Pelly, tweeted: “Our spirits saddened by the death of a fellow competitor. So sad.”

Mr Buckley captained the Davidstown-Courtnacuddy GAA team to a county minor hurling title in 2004.

He left for Scotland in 2005 where he studied engineering. He was raising money for the Irish Cancer Society and Practical Action. Mr Buckley started his journey on December 31 near the city of Cuzco with Mr O’Leary, a teacher from Galbally, Enniscorthy.

The pair spoke of the danger of their trip in a message on a web page set up to receive donations.

They wrote: “Peter Buckley, aka Bucks and Eamonn O’Leary plan to take the smallest, least practical vehicle available known to south America, wedge ourselves into it and chuck the complete package at some of the most ridiculous and least hospitable terrain on earth… There is no guarantee of making it to the finish line and no back-up.

“We’ve been told it’s possibly the worst machine ever invented. Imagine a motorbike, then imagine a smaller one. Then cut it in half and stick a not terribly comfy sofa on the back.

“It looks like we don’t stand a chance… but with our necks, we cannot but complete the adventure.”

The pair had already exceeded their sponsorship targets for the charities they were supporting, raising €1,619.50 for the Irish Cancer Society alone.

The Irish Cancer Society said: “The Irish Cancer Society is deeply saddened by the news of a tragic accident involving some society fundraisers in Peru… Our thoughts are with the group in Peru and their family and friends in Ireland.”

A member of the local GAA club said: “This is devastating news for the family. The Buckley family are well known and highly respected in the parish. Our deepest sympathies go out to them at this sad time.”

More than 200 thrill-seekers are thought to have been taking part in the event, called the Mototaxi Junket 2012.