A 13-year-old girl has died in a horrific crash at a privately owned car racing track in West Cork.

The accident happened this afternoon while the teenage girl was participating in a junior race at the track in Castletown-Kinneigh near Enniskeane Village about 10K from the town of Bandon.

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The young girl was sadly pronounced dead at the sceneCredit: Social Media

A race meeting at Cork Autograss Racing Club in May 2024Credit: Andy Gibson

The track is located in Castletownkenneigh, Co Cork
The girl was the driver of a hatchback car participating in a heat of a Cork Autograss Racing Club event and was on a grass track when her vehicle went out of control, propelling her into a barrier.

The young teenager, who was one of just four competing, died instantly and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Onlookers and marshals rushed to help, including members of her family who were attending the event.

The girl is from Knockhane, Terelton, County Cork and was a first year student in St Mary’s Secondary School in Macroom.

Her body has been taken to Cork University Hospital where a post mortem will be carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster tomorrow.

The scene is being preserved for technical examination.

The event was run by the Cork Autograss Racing Club and the track is a private off road track which is part of a community facility which includes a soccer pitch.

The club and track has been operating in the area for about 30 years without any major incidents.

According to its Facebook page the club was formed in 1998 from the West Cork Hotrod Club.

Club members and competitors from other clubs have been racing there in modified souped up cars and buggy type vehicles.

There have been many improvements carried out over the years with a major track extension done in 2010 in conjunction with Castletown Celtic Football Club, whose pitch is located in the centre of the track.

Autotrack racing is done on loose surface track with a variety of hot rod vehicles participating, from 1000cc hatchbacks to full saloons with engines varying from large v8’s to twin bike powered and turbo diesel vehicles.

SAFETY MARSHALS IN PLACE

The sport caters for male and female competitors ranging in age from 12 years upwards.

Racing commenced at 11am this morning and had been continuing through until the tragic accident happened at around 3:30pm this afternoon.

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.”

Some events can run into nighttime and the track is floodlit to allow for this.

There were safety marshals in place at the races and people rushed to try and help the young girl, but unfortunately she was pronounced dead at the scene.

It’s understood the 13-year-old girl had been driving and competing since she reached the qualifying age and loved the sport.

She is from a rural village in Mid-Cork.

GARDA PROBE

Gardai in West Cork are investigating the tragic accident and a file is being prepared for the local coroner.

Gardai have been notifying her family and it’s expected a family liaison officer will be appointed to help them.

In a statement this evening, gardai urged any witnesses to come forward.

A spokesperson said: “Gardai are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.

“Anyone who may have camera footage and were attending the event between 3pm and 4pm 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 girl was the driver of a car participating in a heat of the Autograss Racing Club event

Racing commenced at 11am this morning and had been continuing through until the tragic accident
Credit: Social Media