Toddler dies after being hit by tractor as boy rescued from the sea loses life

A toddler died after he was knocked down by a tractor on a farm in Co Cork and Aaron O’Flaherty, the 9-year-old boy who was rescued from the sea in Co Clare late last Sunday, has lost his fight for life.

Two investigations are under way following the death of the 18-month-old who died in an accident on the farm. The child was named locally last night as Fionn Cashman.

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority said they are investigating all the circumstances of the incident, which occurred on a family farm on the outskirts of Killeagh in East Cork.

The boy suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a tractor in a yard at around 12.30pm.

Emergency services raced to the scene and found the distraught father cradling his son inside the family home. Paramedics gave medical assistance and fought to save the boy’s live but, such were the extent of his injuries, he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

His remains were taken to Cork University Hospital where an autopsy will be conducted today.

Gardaí will prepare a file for the coroner’s court in due course, but are treating the matter as a “tragic accident”.

Fionn was the youngest of Con and Deirdre Cashman’s four children.

Con is a vet and Deirdre comes from a well-known horse-breeding family.

The family were being comforted by close family and friends last night.

It was the second fatality on an Irish farm in two days. Father of five Teddy Brosnan died on a farm in Kerry on Wednesday. The farmer and agricultural contractor suffered crush injuries as he was putting up shuttering.

Gardaí and the HSA are investigating that incident.

The death in East Cork yesterday brings to nine the number of farm fatalities this year.

Meanwhile, Aaron O’Flaherty, from Limerick City, died in a Dublin hospital yesterday, three days after he had been transferred from Galway University Hospital.

The boy had been enjoying a day out with his father when he fell into the sea near the Blackhead lighthouse in north Clare.

The unconscious boy was recovered from the water by the Doolin rescue boat crew. He was airlifted to hospital in Galway and later transferred to Temple Street Hospital, where he passed away yesterday.