Girl dies in farm accident as parents return from holiday

The parents of an eight-year old girl were shell-shocked last night after landing at Dublin Airport to be told their daughter had been killed in an accident.

The girl, originally from Latvia but living in Limerick, had been staying with family friends in Ballinakill near Newtownshandrom, Co Cork, when she lost her life after been struck by a falling tractor frontloader.

Gardaí said the bucket frontloader of the tractor fell down on top of the girl, killing her instantly.

The father of the family, who are also believed to be from Eastern Europe and who had been minding the girl, was driving the tractor on a family farm he rents from another landowner.

The man’s 11-year-old daughter was also struck by the tractor bucket after the driver slammed on the brakes when both girls ran into his path. She was airlifted from the scene by helicopter to Cork University Hospital, where she was in a serious condition last night.

Gardaí said the parents of the deceased girl were due to fly back in to Dublin Airport late last night from visiting relatives in their home country. They were to be met by gardaí who delivered the news.

“The front loader of a tractor fell down on top of the two young girls,” said a garda source. “One of them was seriously injured and taken by helicopter to CUH, but the other girl was fatally injured, an eight-year old girl. Her parents are abroad and they are only coming back tonight, into Dublin Airport. They were away on holidays and this other family would have been looking after her.

The Garda added: “It would appear that they ran in front of the tractor, so they were playing nearby, and [the driver] braked and the bucket fell off. It's his daughter that is seriously injured. She's eleven. He went to the hospital immediately with his daughter.

“It's a tragic accident from what we know. It will be investigated by the HSA. The deceased’s family are living in Limerick City. There will be a file for the coroner.”

Gardai and officials from the HSA were at the scene last night carrying out enquiries.

Neighbours and friends of both families were rallying around those caught up in the terrible tragedy.