Tributes to girl who died in motor racing event: 'She will be missed dearly'
Tributes have been paid to a teen who died in a crash that happened when she was competing in an Autograss racing event at the Castletown-Kinneigh track in Enniskean, Co Cork yesterday.
Lauren O'Brien of Knockane, Terelton, who attended secondary school in Macroom in Co Cork, was pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday afternoon. The alarm was raised at around 3.30pm when her car went out of control and crashed in to a barrier at the track.
In a post on Facebook, the school described her as "a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun-loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue".
Her "vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College," the school said.
"She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community," the statement added.
They expressed their sympathies to "her parents Therese and Timmy, her brother Josh who is a 2nd year student at our school, sister Shannon, and all those who loved Lauren and had the privilege of knowing her."
The school is open this afternoon for members of the school community to come in "for support and to remember Lauren" and psychologists will be present to provide support.
Gardai and paramedics rushed to the scene yesterday and efforts were made to save the life of the teenager. A postmortem examination will take place today at Cork University Hospital.
Other young people who were taking part in the heat in which Lauren died were deeply upset by what had occurred. Large numbers of spectators also witnessed the accident. Gardai have started taking statements from people who saw the incident unfold.
The scene was preserved for a technical examination. A Garda investigation has been launched in to the incident. The Coroner was notified of the death and an inquest will be held at a later date. A family liaison office will also be appointed to assist the family.
Racing got underway at 11am yesterday and was immediately suspended when the accident happened. It was to involve male, female and junior events. Irish Racing driver Hanna Celsie posted on social media that she was saddened to hear of the death of the teenager: "My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young talented girl who sadly past away yesterday after an accident, racing at an event put on by Cork Autograss Racing Club. RIP."
Kart Paddock, a social media page which posts karting and motor racing results, said that it would not be posting results "out of respect to the young girl who died." "Thoughts and condolences are with the family, friends, teams and everyone in the Autograss Racing Club paddock."
Cork Autograss was formed in 1998 from the West Cork Hotrod club. The club races from Castletown-Kinneigh track. The West Cork Hotrod Club has raced at the Castletown-Kinneigh track for nearly three decades. A major track extension was carried out in 2010 in conjunction with Castletown Celtic football club whose pitch is the centre of the track.
Autograss Racing is motor racing on loose surface track with anything from near road spec 1000cc hatchbacks to full space framed saloons with engines varying from large v8's to twin bike powered and even the odd turbo diesel. The sport caters for competitors from the age of twelve upwards.
Meanwhile, gardai are appealing for witnesses to the incident. Anyone who may have camera footage and were attending the event between 3pm and 4pm yesterday are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Bandon Garda Station on (023) 8852200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. The death is being treated as a tragic accident.
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