Latest news with #WestCorkRapidResponse
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Cork first responders increase awareness of workplace safety
A group of voluntary first responders is spending the week running between towns and villages in west Cork, delivering talks and presentations on workplace safety in order to increase awareness about the risks of farm accidents. West Cork Rapid Response members have been providing critical emergency medical care at accident scenes in some of the most isolated parts of the country since it was established 17 years ago. It has 36 trained emergency care volunteers and, because they live in different communities in west Cork, they often arrive at accident scenes and begin treating casualties before ambulance personnel can get there. That makes a critical difference and, every year, West Cork Rapid Response volunteers are credited with saving the lives of around 25 people in west Cork. The talks and presentations are a novel way of educating as many as possible about the risks of farm accidents. Electrician and vintage car enthusiast Densie O'Shea, from Drimoleague, knows all about those risks now. Thirteen years ago, he fell from the bucket of a loadall while fitting a light to a farm shed. He fractured his femur, his hip and his wrist. He also ruptured his bowel and fractured his pelvis in six places. Today, he preaches about safety on the farm too. "I have seen people doing similar acts to what I did," Mr O'Shea said. "I was in a bucket [of the loadall] with no safety gear on and I have seen people doing it since. It shocks me to see them at it. It absolutely shocks me. They don't realise that one split second and the whole lot is over." Billy Barry, is farmer from Toormore near Schull. Two years ago, he was attacked by a cow that had just calved. He suffered 10 fractured ribs and fractured his pelvis, shoulder and collar bone. He ruptured his spleen and punctured his lung. Mr Barry is also a farm safety advocate and his message is a simple one. "You can't be careful enough - you can never be careful enough," he said. Dr Jason van der Velde, a consultant in emergency medicine, saved the lives of Mr Barry and Mr O'Shea. He's one of the West Cork Rapid Response volunteers trail running around West Cork this week, spreading the farm safety message on this week's Beara Way Challenge run. "Farming still remains the most dangerous occupation in Ireland," he said. "Over 55% of all workplace-related incidents are farming related. It is absolutely imperative that we get on top of an epidemic of trauma on farms." The Beara Way Challenge has been running over seven days.
Sunday World
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sunday World
Funeral of Lauren O'Brien (13) who died in Cork motor-racing tragedy to be held on Friday
She will be laid to rest in Terelton Cemetery following Requiem Mass in St Joseph's Church, Castletownkenneigh at 12 noon The funeral of the young teenage girl who died in an motor-racing tragedy in Cork last weekend is to be held on Friday. Lauren O'Brien (13) was pronounced dead at the scene after a collision during the heat stages at the Cork Autograss circuit in Castletown-Kinneigh near Enniskeane in west Cork at around 3.30pm on Sunday. She will be laid to rest in Terelton Cemetery following Requiem Mass on Friday in St Joseph's Church, Castletownkenneigh at 12 noon. She will be reposing at her home today from 5pm until 8pm and tomorrow, from 6pm until 8pm. The family have asked mourners to approach from the Terelton side although the house will be private outside of these times. On her notice on it states 'it is with deepest regret that we announce the death of our beloved daughter Lauren, who died unexpectedly on May 4, surrounded by her family, following an accident'. It adds that Lauren ins the 'darling daughter of Timmy and Therese (née Butler), loving sister of Josh and Shannon. 'Sadly missed by her parents, brother, sister, grandparents Christy, Teresa, Connie and Ellen, god-parents Marguerite and John, aunts, uncles, grand-aunts, grand-uncles, extended family, cousins, great friends Eimer, Casey, Katie and Kathlyn and a wide circle of friends' The notice states that Lauren's family 'would like to thank the Emergency Services, The Cork Autograss Community and all those who helped'. They have also requested family flowers only, and 'donations in lieu to West Cork Rapid Response'. Lauren O'Brien The News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, 7th of May There are numerous messages of sympathy left in the condolences section, including one that reads: 'Deepest sympathy to the O'Brien family on the death of your beautiful daughter Lauren. 'May the good Lord and your Angel Lauren comfort and console ye all in the days ahead.' Another offered: 'Sincere sympathy to the O' Brien and Butler families, extended family and friends on the sad passing of your Lauren. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May Lauren Rest in Peace. Another wrote: 'Heartfelt condolences to Lauren's family and friends at this sad time, gone from this world way to soon but died doing what she loved, may Lauren rest in peace.' One Laois father added: 'Our deepest sympathy to all the family on the sad loss of your beautiful daughter Lauren.' 'I am deeply saddened to hear of Lauren's passing,' one person wrote. 'I had the privilege of seeing first-hand the kind, bubbly, and bright spirit she brought to every day. 'She had a warmth and energy that lifted those around her, and she truly was a joy to have in class — always thoughtful, always smiling, and always herself.' It has been reported that Lauren had only started competing in the sport in the junior class in recent times and was loving it. The sport involves driving modified cars around a loose-surfaced track. The event was being staged by the Cork Autograss Racing Club. Lauren lived in the townland of Tarleton in west Cork with her parents, older brother and younger sister. She was a first-year pupil at McEgan College in Macroom, which opened its doors for Lauren's classmates and their parents if they felt they needed support. School principal, Trish Lynam, and deputy principal, Hugh Coughlan, said around 40 pupils made their way to the school to gather and share their thoughts and memories. Photographs of Lauren were placed on tables in the entrance to the school along with a book of condolences. 'Lauren grew up with the sport. It's her family's sport, and this was her second race seemingly. She had done well in her first one and was buzzing after it. It's tragic,' Ms Lynam said. 'Her parents actually met through motor racing. 'They were married last November and Lauren came into the two of us showing us she was bridesmaid for her mam and dad, and she was so proud in her dress, and her hair and nails were done. 'Lauren was great, she was calm and relaxed and confident. She came from a lovely place. 'She was like an adult rather than a child, and full of life,' Mr Coughlan said. 'We've a special unit here, with moderate general learning kids, and she was so kind and nice to them. She was only here since September, but everybody knew her. 'She has a brother in second year and they are popular kids. He's into the cars too, and football, they're very competitive kids,' Ms Lynam said. 'Lauren's vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered 'She was fierce popular in the classroom. When we do the primary school visits each year preparing new students, and Lauren was only three or four weeks in the school and she was asked to do the visits with us because she stood out as having that extra-special quality,' she added.
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 Independent
22-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Emergency services warn farmers after rescue delays on Irish farms
Dr Jason van der Velde, pre-hospital emergency medicine specialist and clinical lead with the HSE National Telemedicine Support Unit, said confusion over locations continues to delay emergency crews in farm rescues. 'They [farmers or contractors] might be able to describe a certain field and know exactly where they are, but if you go to try and translate that to somebody sitting in a control room up in Tallaght, it's impossible,' he said. 'Relying on local knowledge can be difficult – this is always going to be a problem. 'The Eircodes have made such a huge difference since they were introduced.' Dr Van der Velde said it is not just farmers who need to know their Eircodes, but anyone working on the land. 'It may be your farm, but often it's not – it could be friends, family or contractors. 'Unless you know the Eircode to the entrance, how are you going to describe to somebody in Tallaght how to get to the place where you are? 'If you're going to be working someone's land for the day, just write it down. It's very easy to find.' Even with an Eircode, mistakes still happen, he warned. 'Just in recent weeks, we had a reliable Eircode and travelled as per Google Maps. But we got there and it wasn't the field – the entrance was on the other side of the land. 'That then becomes difficult because you could be literally driving another 10 minutes, going down another road, another road, another road to get access.' ADVERTISEMENT About 19pc of injuries are machine accidents and 13pc are livestock, but 71.5pc of deaths occur in the farmyard Farm safety remains a huge concern, with injury and fatality rates in agriculture eight times higher than any other Irish industry. 'About 19pc of injuries are machine accidents and 13pc are livestock, but 71.5pc of deaths occur in the farmyard,' he said. 'It's not just the farmer getting hurt, it's family members. Over 90pc of all injuries are family. Parents over 65 account for 50pc of annual fatalities and children under 17 make up 23pc.' Dr Van der Velde is running a farm safety educational tour with West Cork Rapid Response across the Beara Peninsula from May 24 to June 1
