19 hours ago
Tributes flow for Irish tourist killed in Bolivian landcruiser accident
Tributes have flowed for an Irish tourist who was killed when a 4x4 overturned in Bolivia with a pal saying he was 'one of the loveliest people you would ever have met.'
Named locally as Oisin Hoey, 29, from Clontarf in Dublin, he was among a group of seven in a Toyota Landcruiser when the accident occurred on Bolivia's famous salt flats on Friday afternoon.
Officials said the group was on their way to a local volcano when the vehicle flipped over and travelled for a further 40 metres before coming to a halt on its side.
Mr Hoy was gravely injured and was being brought to the nearby city of Potosi when he died en route. Five others, including two Bolivians, two Germans and a Dutchman were also injured.
Three required hospital treatment in Potosi due to the severity of their injuries.
Mr Hoey, who had a love for travelling and adventures, was also described by a pal as a 'very popular man.'
'He was one of the loveliest persons you'd ever meet,' local councillor Kevin Breen, who was a good friend of Oisin's since their childhood, said.
'He was so full of life and loved adventures and travel. He was also a great GAA man and ran a good few marathons.
'It's just so tragic and extremely heartbreaking,' he said.
Local Bolivian police chief Colonel Wilson Flores said authorities believe the incident occurred due to excessive speed.
He said one of the other tourists had requested to drive the vehicle in order to record a video for social media when it occurred.
Flores said: "Unfortunately due to excessive speed, it lost control and the vehicle turned over, causing one death and five injuries. The deceased passed away en route to Potosi due to the abdominal injury he suffered."
Local tourism boss Raul Torres said the accident occurred amid increasing concerns about safety levels among tour operators in Bolivia.
He said many firms were not attending road safety training and an instruction session scheduled for last Friday had been cancelled because of the failure of company drivers to show up.
