A tragic accident during a motor racing event in West Cork has claimed the life of a 13-year-old girl, prompting a Garda investigation and widespread community mourning.
The fatal incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at a track located in Castletown-Kinneigh, near the village of Enniskean, approximately 10 kilometres from Bandon in County Cork. The girl, who has not yet been named publicly but is believed to be from the local area, was competing in a heat of an officially sanctioned Cork Autograss Racing Club event when her vehicle crashed.
Emergency services responded swiftly, but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body has since been transferred to Cork University Hospital, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out.
The vehicle she was driving is believed to have been a modified car or buggy, typical in autograss racing, a grassroots motorsport that takes place on natural surfaces such as dirt or grass. Witnesses at the event said there were a number of safety marshals present, in line with standard protocol for such events.
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána confirmed that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway. Officers are conducting forensic examinations of the scene and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“This is a devastating tragedy for the family and local community,” a Garda source told EireNow.News. “Support will be made available to those affected, including participants and spectators.”
The racing facility where the incident occurred is part of a long-standing community sports complex, which also includes a soccer pitch. The track has been in operation for around 30 years and is regularly used for local and regional motor racing events.
The Cork Autograss Racing Club is affiliated with the Irish Autograss Racing Association (IARA), which promotes safe and regulated motorsport participation across the country. Following the accident, all remaining races at the event were cancelled out of respect for the victim and her family.
Autograss racing, while offering accessible entry to motorsports for young drivers, is governed by strict safety guidelines, including the use of roll cages, helmets, and reinforced seating. It remains unclear what led to the crash, and investigators will likely focus on whether mechanical failure, environmental conditions, or driver error contributed to the fatal incident.
This tragedy comes amid increasing attention on youth motorsports in Ireland and the balance between fostering early talent and ensuring rigorous safety standards.
The community in Castletown-Kinneigh and wider West Cork region has been left in shock by the loss. Local councillors have expressed their condolences, and support services are being coordinated for those affected, including event organisers, family members, and attendees.
Further updates are expected once the Gardaí complete their initial investigation and the results of the post-mortem are available.
