Tears for 'lovely' Leaving Cert student killed in horror crash
Tributes have poured out for a 'lovely' young Leaving Certificate student who died when her car entered a river in Co Tipperary.
The 18 year-old girl, understood to be from Clonmel, died after her vehicle collided with a wall and entered the River Aherlow shortly after 10pm on Thursday at Kilaldry Bridge in Kilmoyler, near Cahir.
Her body was recovered from the water by members of the Garda Water Unit on Friday morning.
It has since emerged that the young girl was preparing to do her Leaving Certificate this year - and that she is from a well known family in Clonmel.
Her father is understood to have been abroad and is set to travel back to Ireland after learning the devastating news.
Local Clonmel councillor John Fitzgerald, who knows the family, told the Irish Mirror that she was a 'lovely person' taken too soon.
'We are heartbroken. I personally knew her and she was a lovely person in every way possible. She was so nice and we are just devastated for her mother, father, brothers and sisters. She was doing her Leaving Cert and was such a special and nice person. There is a cloud hanging over the town over this loss,' he said.
Local Cllr John O'Heney added: 'Late last night [Thursday] after 10 o'clock there was a single car collision and an 18 year-old girl diverted off the road. Unfortunately she passed away and the Garda Water Unit recovered her body this morning. I'd like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this young girl. It is such a tragic event to have a girl so young taken so soon."
The young woman's body was taken to a mortuary where an examination was due to take place.
The road, the L3101, remained closed on Friday as Garda Forensic Collision Investigators carried out a technical examination of the scene.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the Kilmoyler area between 10pm and midnight on Thursday.
Road users with dash-cam or other camera footage from the area during that time are asked to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cahir Garda Station on 052 7445630, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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