'Very tragic': Irish woman, 18, who died in crash in Iceland named 

Hannah Jane Large. Picture: Facebook

Icelandic authorities are investigating the death of an 18-year-old Irish woman following a car crash in Krýsuvíkurvegur in the early hours of Monday, August 31.

Local media outlet Vísir named the woman as Hannah Jane Large.

It is understood Ms Large may have been working in Iceland over the summer. The Icelandic police force said it could not comment on the reason for her presence in the country.

A spokesperson for the Icelandic police force confirmed the crash took place at shortly after midnight on Monday, August 31, and that three people died.

“Three people died, male (DOB 2005) and two females (DOB 2009 and 2007),” the spokesperson said.

“The woman born in 2007 was from Ireland. This happened on Krýsuvíkurvegur (a road that has an asphalt surface), a few kilometres south of a neighbourhood in Hafnarfjörður called Vellir.” 

“No other car was involved in this accident.” 

Vísir has named the other passengers as 21-year-old Benjamín Guðmundsson and 16-year-old Arndís Halla, who also died in the crash.

It is understood Ms Large was travelling with the two Icelandic people when the BMW they were in veered off the road and crashed onto a lava cliff, around 30km south of the capital, Reykjavik.

Reports suggest the vehicle was travelling at approximately 200km/h.

Memorial services for the two deceased Icelandic passengers are due to be held this evening.

It is also understood Ms Large's parents were expected to travel to Iceland to visit her.

Iceland president Halla Tómasdóttir paid tribute to the crash victims.

“My thoughts are with the families and friends of the young individuals who died in the tragic accident last night. No words can convey such a loss,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

“When grief knocks in this way, we are reminded of how precious and fragile life is. Let's be careful and look out for each other.” 

Sam Large, Hannah's mother, commented underneath President Tómasdóttir's Facebook post.

“Thank you for the statement. My daughter Hannah from Ireland was one of the victims of this tragedy,” Ms Large wrote.

“She fell in love with your country she loved the people and her last few days were the happiest of her life, that is the only consolation we have and hold onto.

“We spoke to her that night and she was full of Joy. Tragic she leaves her brother and us behind.” 

It is understood Ms Large was raised in Greystones, Co Wicklow, and had attended St David's Holy Faith Secondary School.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it has been made aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.

Local councillor Louise Fenelon Gaskin paid tribute to the deceased.

“She had just finished her Leaving Cert, and it's just very tragic for the family getting bad news,” she said.

“It's very sad to get that knock on your door…and to all her friends as well, it was an awful shock.”