An eight-year-old girl has been killed and an 11-year-old girl is fighting for her life after a tragic farming accident which occurred yesterday evening.
The eight-year-old was staying with friends near Newtownshandrom in Cork. She was hit by a falling tractor frontloader and was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor.
According to reports, the bucket loader fell from the tractor when it stopped suddenly. The girl’s 11-year-old friend was also hit by the tractor bucket. She was airlifted to Cork University Hospital.
The eight-year-old, who is originally from Latvia, is believed to have been visiting the farm from her home in Limerick.
The incident happened at approximately 6.30pm.
The eight-year-old’s parents returned to Dublin airport last night, unaware of what had happened. They were informed of the accident by gardaí when their plane landed.