Studenty’s Tracy Nyan reports on the tragic death of nineteen year old Niamh McCarthy…
Nineteen year old Niamh McCarthy from Minane Bridge, Co. Cork has died today following an accident in west Kerry last night.
Science student, Ms McCarthy had travelled to the Maharees near Castlegregory during the weekend with friends to celebrate the completion of her first-year exams at University College Cork.
Kerry General Hospital where Ms McCarthy died today. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
It is understood that Ms McCarthy and her friends were preparing for an outdoor pursuit which involved digging a hole in a sand dune.
Reports suggest that Ms McCarthy was digging the hole when the dune collapsed, trapping her underneath. The sand dunes where the accident occurred are reported to be up to 12m high.
It is believed that Ms McCarthy was trapped beneath the dune for up to 15 minutes while her friends and some local people attempted to free her.
Emergency services, including two units of Tralee Fire Brigade, two ambulances and Gardai, were called to the scene at about 3.30pm. The Valentia Coastguard was also alerted.
She was unconscious when paramedics arrived at the scene, which is located approximately 40km from Tralee. Efforts to resuscitate her were made at the scene.
Ms McCarthy was rushed to Kerry General Hospital where she passed away earlier today.
Gardai had preserved the scene during last night and an official investigation into the death has been launched.
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