Latest news with #Autograss
Irish Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Family of teenager tragically killed in Cork crash thank 'all those who helped'
The family of a 13-year-old girl who sadly died following a crash at a motor racing event in Cork over the weekend has thanked 'all those who helped' after the tragic incident. Lauren O'Brien of Knockane, Terelton, who attended secondary school in Macroom in Co Cork, sadly lost her life on Sunday afternoon following a crash at an Autograss racing event at the Castletown-Kinneigh track in Enniskean, Co Cork. The alarm was raised at around 3.30pm when her car went out of control and crashed into a barrier at the track. Gardaí and paramedics rushed to the scene and efforts were made to save the life of the teenager. Lauren's family have now thanked 'emergency services, the Cork Autograss Community and all those who helped' on Lauren will be dearly missed by her loving parents, Timmy and Therese, her adoring siblings Josh and Shannon as well as her grandparents, aunts, uncles, many extended family members and wide circle of friends. The young girl's funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, and her family have requested donations to West Cork Rapid Response in lieu of flowers. Tributes have poured for Lauren O'Brien (Image: Tributes have poured in for Lauren, whose secondary school described as "a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun-loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue', in a post on Facebook. 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 second year student at our school, sister Shannon, and all those who loved Lauren and had the privilege of knowing her." Meanwhile, Gardaí 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 Gardaí. 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. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Post
06-05-2025
- Irish Post
Tributes to ‘bubbly, fun' teenager killed at Cork race event
TRIBUTES have been paid to a young girl who died following a collision at a race event in Cork. Lauren O'Brien died after the vehicle she was driving at the Cork Autograss Racing Event in Enniskeane crashed at around 3.30pm on May 4. The 13-year-old, of Terelton in Cork, was competing in a junior class drivers race when her buggie, a modified car used in Autograss events, was involved in the collision. She suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was then moved to Cork University Hospital where a postmortem is due to take place. In a statement confirming her death, her family said it was with 'deepest regret that we announce the death of our beloved daughter Lauren, who died unexpectedly, surrounded by her family, following an accident'. They added that she would be 'sadly missed by her parents Timmy and Therese (née Butler), sister Shannon and brother Josh'. Ms O'Brien was a first year student at McEgan College in Macroom. Paying tribute the college said she was a 'beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue'. They added: 'Lauren's vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College. 'She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community.' In a statement the National Autograss Sports Association (NASA) shared their 'great sadness and regret' over the incident. 'While we wholeheartedly understand, respect and appreciate the messages and outpouring of concern to those involved, our first thoughts at this time should start with the family and of course are with those in attendance, the officials, the emeregenct services who attended and witnesses to the incident," they said. "The NASA safeguarding team will be offering our support to all involved," they added. "Our focus right now is to offer immediate support to the friends and family who have lost a cherished loved one." Gardaí have appealing for witnesses the collision to contact them. 'Anyone who may have camera footage and were attending the event between 3pm and 4pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí, they state. '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.
Sky News
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sky News
Tributes paid to 13-year-old girl Lauren O'Brien killed in motorsport racing crash in County Cork
Tributes have been paid to a "beautiful" 13-year-old girl who died in a motorsport racing crash in County Cork. Lauren O'Brien was competing in an Autograss event at a race track in Castletown-Kinneigh, close to Bandon in west Cork, when her vehicle crashed on Sunday afternoon. The teenager, from Knockane near Tarelton, died at the scene at the Cork Autograss Racing Club and her body was taken to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Autograss is a form of motor racing on mud or grass which usually features modified production cars or buggies fitted with roll-cages. Irish police are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Lauren was a first-year student at McEgan College in Macroom and her school paid tribute on its Facebook page. "Lauren was a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue," it said. "Lauren's vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College. "She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community. "We extend our deepest sympathy to her loving family, 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 opened on Monday, a public holiday, to offer support to students. "May Lauren's beautiful soul rest in peace," the statement added. Irish racing driver Hanna Celsie also posted a tribute on social media on Monday morning. "My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young talented girl who sadly passed away yesterday after an accident, racing at an event put on by Cork Autograss Racing Club. RIP," she wrote. Cork Sinn Fein senator Nicole Ryan said she was "heartbroken" in a post on Facebook. "Lauren's passion for motorsport and her bright spirit will never be forgotten," she said. "My deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all affected by this terrible loss." The Road Race Alliance of Ireland extended its sympathies to Lauren's family and friends, while noting it represented two and three wheeled motorsports, and not Autograss. "We are all part of one wider motorsport family - and today, we grieve together," it said. "Lauren was a young girl with a brave heart and a passion for racing. "Her loss is unimaginable, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family, her friends, her fellow competitors, and everyone who knew and loved her. "When a tragedy like this happens, it ripples through every paddock, every track, and every corner of the racing world.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tributes paid to 13-year-old girl Lauren O'Brien killed in motorsport racing crash in County Cork
Tributes paid to 13-year-old girl Lauren O'Brien killed in motorsport racing crash in County Cork Tributes have been paid to a "beautiful" 13-year-old girl who died in a motorsport racing crash in County Cork. Lauren O'Brien was competing in an Autograss event at a race track in Castletown-Kinneigh, close to Bandon in west Cork, when her vehicle crashed on Sunday afternoon. The teenager, from Knockane near Tarelton, died at the scene at the Cork Autograss Racing Club and her body was taken to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Autograss is a form of motor racing on mud or grass which usually features modified production cars or buggies fitted with roll-cages. ADVERTISEMENT Irish police are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Lauren was a first-year student at McEgan College in Macroom and her school paid tribute on its Facebook page. "Lauren was a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue," it said. "Lauren's vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College. "She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community. "We extend our deepest sympathy to her loving family, 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 opened on Monday, a public holiday, to offer support to students. ADVERTISEMENT "May Lauren's beautiful soul rest in peace," the statement added. Irish racing driver Hanna Celsie also posted a tribute on social media on Monday morning. "My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young talented girl who sadly passed away yesterday after an accident, racing at an event put on by Cork Autograss Racing Club. RIP," she wrote. Read more from Sky News: Two motorbike racers killed in 11-bike crash British student nurse stabbed to death in Texas Cork Sinn Fein senator Nicole Ryan said she was "heartbroken" in a post on Facebook. "Lauren's passion for motorsport and her bright spirit will never be forgotten," she said. "My deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all affected by this terrible loss." The Road Race Alliance of Ireland extended its sympathies to Lauren's family and friends, while noting it represented two and three wheeled motorsports, and not Autograss. ADVERTISEMENT "We are all part of one wider motorsport family - and today, we grieve together," it said. "Lauren was a young girl with a brave heart and a passion for racing. "Her loss is unimaginable, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family, her friends, her fellow competitors, and everyone who knew and loved her. "When a tragedy like this happens, it ripples through every paddock, every track, and every corner of the racing world. "No matter what we ride or drive, we all understand the love, the risk, and the heartbreak that comes with this sport."
Irish Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
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.
